June 24, 2010 - BOSTON, MA—A former Hanover man was convicted today in federal court of making false statements to a federal agency about his supposed victimization in a mortgage fraud scheme.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; James C. Burrell, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Boston Field Office; and Chief Walter Sweeney of the Hanover Police Department announced today that PAUL L. PLAHN, 43, of Taunton, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Patti B. Saris to one count of making materially false statements to a federal agency.
At today’s plea hearing, the prosecutor told the Court that had the case proceeded to trial, the government’s evidence would have proven that PLAHN developed an elaborate scheme to deceive his wife and extended family about their deteriorating financial status and avoid losing their Hanover house in foreclosure. In April 2008, PLAHN told an agent from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that he was a victim of unscrupulous mortgage lenders and foreclosure rescue services. Among other things, PLAHN told the agent that he was assisting in a “sting” operation being conducted by the Massachusetts State Police investigating mortgage fraud and provided the agent with a letter on Massachusetts State Police letterhead thanking PLAHN for his efforts. In fact, there was no sting operation and PLAHN had fabricated the letter.
Judge Saris scheduled sentencing for Sept. 22. PLAHN faces up to five years' imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $ 250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hanover Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra S. Bower of Ortiz’s Economic Crimes Unit.
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