Jury Selection For Suspended Mayor Accused Of Mortgage Fraud
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MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) - Jury selection was scheduled to get underway Monday in the trial of suspended North Miami Mayor Lucie Tondreau who is accused of taking part in an $11 million mortgage fraud scheme.
Prosecutors say Tondreau and others conspired before she became mayor to defraud lenders using straw buyers, who obtained inflated loans for 20 properties. The scheme allegedly involved recruiting buyers through a radio program catering to Haitian-American listeners.
She has pleaded not guilty.
Tondreau's business partner, Karl Oreste, previously pleaded guilty in the case.
Tondreau in June became North Miami's first female Haitian-American mayor, but she was suspended from office by Gov. Rick Scott. A new mayor, Smith Joseph, has since been elected.
Tondreau, who faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of conspiracy and wire fraud.
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