St. Louis, MO (KSDK) - A Wentzville woman could face up to 100 years in prison for allegedly lying about claims that she operated a "mortgage rescue" or "foreclosure rescue" service.
A federal grand jury indicted Marien Brown, aka Marien White, Monday on four felony counts of wire fraud and one felony count of mail fraud.
According to the indictment, Brown created First Financial from September 2008 to March 2009, when it became 1st Federal Resource, LLC (First Federal). The business' registered address was actually a UPS store that provides commercial mailbox services.
The indictment also claims Brown researched homeowners in Hawaii who were behind on mortgage payments and in danger of losing their homes. She then sent unsolicited mailings advertising her non-existent business. More than 80 clients responded and wired money to First Federal and First Financial. Brown allegedly withheld the money for herself.
Clients who attempted to contact Brown could only reach her if they left messages expressing a desire to wire additional money.
If convicted, Brown faces up to 20 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000 for each count.
KSDK