Title Co. Owner Claims Innocence

November 18, 2008


The owner of a Fort Lauderdale title company says his employees are the culprits in a $5 million mortgage fraud scheme and are blaming him in order to stay out of prison. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison.

Howard Gaines, 57, owner of Your Title Choice Inc. is on trial for assisting others in a fraudulent scheme and forging documents to acquire more than $5 million in mortgage loans. His attorney says however, Gaines had no knowledge of any fraudulent activity and is being used as a scapegoat for others involved.

A straw buyer in the scheme, Anthony Dehaney, 57, pleaded guilty last month and is expected to testify for the prosecution. Gaines has been charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud.

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