03252011 - News Article - Second woman in real estate fraud cases enters plea

Second woman in real estate fraud cases enters plea

Times, The (Munster, IN)
March 25, 2011

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HAMMOND, Ind. -- A second woman accused of partaking in a complex real estate fraud ring has pleaded guilty. 

Sheila Chandler pleaded guilty Thursday to 11 counts of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud for her role in a scheme profiting her and co-defendants by more than $300,000, Hammond federal court records show. 

Chandler was indicted in October 2010 along with real estate consultant Jerry Haymon, Gary community development director Jacquelyn Drago-Hunter and Phillip Rucker. 

They are accused of funneling $301,247 to themselves between October 2007 and November 2008 by falsifying Gary property prices, loan forms and other legal real estate documents. 

Chandler, who worked as a loan processor for a mortgage broker, is accused of preparing false loan applications for buyers, keeping money intended for a mortgage company and helping forge or forging rent forms. 

Chandler's lawyer Darnail Lyles said Thursday that Chandler was entering a plea because there is "no need to prolong the inevitable. She's taking responsibility." 

As part of her plea, Chandler agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors, who in turn agreed to drop forfeiture charges against her. 

Chandler faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines. 

Gary resident Tracy Butler also pleaded guilty this month to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for partaking in the scam. 

03252011 - News Article - U.S. District court, Hammond - Scheme netted defendants more than $900,000 - S’ville woman admits role in mortgage fraud

U.S. District court, Hammond - Scheme netted defendants more than $900,000

S’ville woman admits role in mortgage fraud

Post-Tribune (IN)
March 25, 2011

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A Schererville woman will plead guilty in two cases of helping to illegally take more than $900,000 in a mortgage fraud scheme. 

Sheila Chandler will plead guilty to 10 counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiring to commit wire fraud, according to a plea agreement filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court in Hammond. 

Chandler was charged in the two cases last year, One connected her with seven other defendants of soliciting people to buy homes for more than they were worth. The potential owners were told they could use the extra loan money to renovate the homes then rent them out. The defendants would file a bill on the sale of the house to be paid for that supposed work, but the work was never done, according to court records. The indictment in the case claims the group took in more than $600,000. 

Chandler, who pleaded guilty more than 10 years ago to embezzling $250,000 from a not-for-profit and an insurance company, used her position at a local mortgage company to fill out false information, such as income, to help the buyers get the loans. Seven of the wire fraud counts and the conspiracy count she pleaded guilty to are connected to this case. 

She committed a similar offense in her second case, where she was charged with three other people including Gary city employee Jacquelyn Drago - Hunter and Gary businessman Jerry Haymond. The indictment in that case described a similar scheme except on different properties. 

Chandler faces up to 20 years on each of the counts and agrees to pay restitution in the case, although the amount will be decided by the judge at sentencing. As part of the plea deal, Chandler agrees to testify for the government in both cases. 

Chandler is the only defendant in either of the cases to plea guilty. Chandler was scheduled to go to trial in the larger case in July and to go to trial in the smaller case in August. 

Her change of plea hearing is scheduled for Wednesday morning. 

03012011 - Sixth month of search for my furbabies Abbi and Bailey - Unlawful Police Entry/Failure of Portage PD to uphold Criminal No-Contact Order - Portage PD officers turned my furbabies [Abbi and Bailey] over to my ex - Ex had Abbi and Bailey killed in April 2011, no criminal charges; No consequences for Portage PD failing to uphold Criminal No-Contact Order

During the first unlawful police entry into my home - with my ex-husband - the Portage PD officers gave my ex-husband my precious furbabies Abbi and Bailey - in violation of the Criminal No-Contact Order.

During the second unlawful police entry, the Portage PD officers and my ex refused to return Abbi and Bailey back to me - despite me telling the officers that my ex had previously threatened to kill my furbabies. When I expressed concern/fear that Abbi and Bailey would be killed by my ex, the police officers laughed at me and told me to call them if that happened.

I and an animal rescue group searched for months for Abbi and Bailey. I was unaware that my ex had moved back to Portage Indiana [he had last told the court that he was residing in Florida] - and that he had taken Abbi and Bailey to a home he shared with his girlfriend in Portage.

In April 2011, the animal rescue group located Abbi and Bailey at my ex's and his girlfriend's. immediately contacted the Portage PD and the Portage Mayor - demanding that they return Abbi and Bailey to me. They refused to do so, and instead contacted my ex.

In April 2011, instead of returning Abbi and Bailey to me, my ex took my furbabies to the Hobart Indiana Humane Society and signed to have Abbi and Bailey euthanized - in violation of the Criminal No-Contact Order.

I did not find out about the cruel deaths of Abbi and Bailey at my ex's hands until May 2011. I immediately contacted both the Portage PD and Mayor. They both refused to take action and refused to uphold the Criminal No-Contact Order. Further more, the PD and Mayor refused to investigate the unlawful police entry into my home/failure of the Portage PD to uphold the Criminal No-Contact Order.

In 2012, I again contacted the City of Portage, regarding the unlawful police entry, deaths of Abbi and Bailey, and failure of the Portage PD to uphold the Criminal No-Contact Order. The mayor issued an order to all city employees and the PD to ignore my request for an investigation.

From:	Mark Becker <MBecker@portage-in.com>
To:	Renee' <sur5er1998@aol.com>; Olga Velazquez <OVelazquez@portage-in.com>; kenelwood <kenelwood@rhameandelwood.com>
Subject:	RE: Police Complaint Form request
Date:	Mon, May 16, 2011 8:36 pm

---

Ms. Harrington
 
I am sorry that you have lost your dogs, 

however based upon the information provided to Captain Vaughan 

and the ensuing investigation he conducted, I do consider  this matter closed.  

As you noted in your email, your former husband "killed" your dogs, or at least 

signed over the paperwork approving them to be put down.  

Why he would have done so is something I cannot answer.
 
mjb