Miami, Florida – “Mortgage Fraud Updates and Consequences” was the hot topic presented to a packed room of Realtors® and other industry professionals as they listened to an elite panel of South Florida Law Enforcement agencies discuss one of the most notable and consequential crimes facing the housing market, especially in South Florida.

The assembled panel which was moderated by Alex Morin, Broker and FAR Director, included presentations by Asst. Statewide Prosecutor, Laudelina McDonald; FBI Special Agents J. Jeziorski and A. Vecino and The Miami-Dade Crimes Division of Mortgage Fraud appointed by Miami Mayor Alvarez, Chief Counsel, Glenn Theobald and Detectives Houston and Goldberger.

For more than three and a half hours the interactive panel addressed types of Mortgage Fraud and investor schemes padded with statistics, case scenarios from each agency and finished up with the penalties, financial and criminal, facing Realtors® and others, who knowingly participate in these crimes. Realtors® and industry professionals were sobered by the facts and statistics that have  plagued the industry for the past several years.

“I was impressed by the level of dedication and diligence portrayed by the Law Enforcement panelists, as they gave our Realtor(R) Members a wealth of information on the new laws governing mortgage fraud, and the effectiveness that the combined efforts by each agency,” Mr. Morin said, “as Professional Realtors®, we must continue to educate ourselves with the real issues that affects our businesses, our communities and the consumer, understanding that we can make a difference by taking a proactive attitude in becoming vigilant and alert in our business, voicing our concerns to our legislators, and committing our alliance with law enforcement."