Inman

Attorney faces real estate fraud charges

A prominent Georgia real estate attorney has been implicated in an alleged mortgage fraud scheme involving a 33-acre property in Snellville, Ga., the Gwinnett Daily Post reported Saturday.

Constance Thomas, 52, was charged with “theft by taking” for her alleged role in the fraudulent purchase of the Snellville land tract, the Post reported. She turned herself in to police last week, Officer Darren Moloney of the Gwinnett County Police Department told the Post.

Police first learned of the alleged plot when Pearl Mulherin, of Midville, Ga., told them she was a victim in a mortgage flipping incident, the Post reported.

Mulherin owned 33 acres in Snellville worth $475,000, but the property was appraised at $900,000 by “unscrupulous people,” Mulherin told investigators, according to the Post.

“This victim has done these things before,” Moloney told the Post. “She is not a novice, so apparently she knew what she was looking for.”

At least four other people are also under investigation in connection with the alleged mortgage fraud, but no other charges have been filed yet, Moloney told the Post.

Several other participants in the alleged scheme are still being investigated and will likely be charged under the federal racketeering statute, Moloney told the Post.

***

Send tips or a Letter to the Editor to janis@inman.com or call (510) 658-9252, ext. 140.