Local News
Edmond man sentenced in fraud
Arrested last year for allegedly offering cocaine, wine coolers to underage girls
EDMOND — An Edmond man was sentenced Wednesday to serve 30 months in prison for money laundering, stemming from a mortgage fraud scheme.
Phillip Neill Seibel, 39, of Edmond, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David Russell, who ordered Seibel to pay $770,037.31 in restitution and serve three years of supervised release after completing his sentence.
Seibel pleaded guilty July 22 to money laundering, and was ordered to report to the Bureau of Prisons on Jan. 4, 2010, to begin serving his sentence.
Michael P. Lahey, special agent in charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Dallas Field Office, said the IRS is committed to pursuing individuals who commit fraud.
“These types of crimes create a significant loss of tax revenue, drive buyers into foreclosure, leave lenders burdened with bad loans and neighborhoods with abandoned and deteriorating properties,” Lahey said.
Seibel has a history of encounters with the legal system. In November 2008, he was arrested on four complaints of child abuse and seven drug possession complaints for allegedly giving cocaine and wine coolers to underage girls during a slumber party, according to a previous report in The Edmond Sun.
A licensed mortgage broker, Seibel formed Homesavers in April 2007. The company had an Oklahoma City address.
Homesavers contacted homeowners facing foreclosure and told them they could remain in their homes while they worked to improve their credit, according to court records and court proceedings. The company also promised to find investors to buy homes and to let people remain in their homes and begin paying “rent.” Seibel’s company promised to use those payments to pay mortgages, and said sellers could rebuy the homes for a fixed price once their credit improved.
The company promised the potential investors their only role would be to buy the homes. It would coordinate all rent payments with the sellers and ensure mortgages were paid on time.
Homesavers then assisted the investors in obtaining financing to buy the homes, and regularly submitted false documents on the investors’ behalf to mortgage companies and assisted investors in submitting false documents to the mortgage companies.
At closing, Seibel’s company would arrange to receive the equity checks directly and, without permission, endorse the sellers’ names and deposit the checks into a company bank account.
Homesavers did not make the mortgage payments on the homes as promised, but repeatedly assured sellers falsely that mortgage payments were being made. Most of the homes were foreclosed upon, and the sellers lost all equity in their homes, according to the court document.
Seibel used money gained from the transactions to pay personal expenses, such as personal mortgage payments, car payments and country club memberships, according to court records.
This case is a result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigative Division. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeb Boatman. The sentencing was announced Thursday by Robert J. Troester, acting U.S. attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.
Seibel’s other past legal difficulties include a foreclosure in July, bankruptcy filed in March and a breach of contract disposed by a default judgment in March, according to the state’s online court database.
marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 102
- Local News
-
-
Locals depart on Leavenworth 10 Freedom Ride
OKLAHOMA CITY —They came from towns across Oklahoma and the riders want U.S. military and political leaders to know about the Leavenworth 10:
• 1st Lt. Michael Behenna
• Sgt. Evan Vela Carnahan
• Pfc. Corey Clagett
• Staff Sgt. Raymond Girouard
• Master Sgt. John E. Hatley
• Spec. William B. Hunsaker
• Sgt. Larry Hutchins
• Sgt. Michael Leahy
• Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Mayo
• Sgt. Michael P. Williams -
Rolling paper, scales lead to marijuana bust
Rolling paper, a cigar blunt wrap, digital scales and hydrocodone led to the seizure of 110 grams of marijuana from an Edmond home, police said.
An anonymous tip about illegal drug usage led police on Aug. 28 to an apartment at 1300 E. Ayers, according to a report filed by Edmond Police Officer Joshua Pratt. -
A&E show to shine light on hoarding in Oklahoma
One Edmond family will be the focus of a television program shedding light on an increasingly common problem.
Behind closed doors, many Oklahomans struggle with a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder known as “hoarding,” which is marked by a need to acquire and keep things, even if the items are worthless, hazardous or unsanitary. -
9-4 Labor day closings
All City of Edmond offices will be closed Monday to observe Labor Day. Trash collection will be delayed one day for the remainder of the week and Citylink Bus service will not run.
Other closings include:
• State and federal offices will be closed Monday. -
9-4 Community: your news
DAR promotes Constitution Week awareness
The Samuel King Chapter, NSDAR, will hold its annual membership registration and guest tea at the home of Rosalind Triplett at 2 p.m. Sept. 12. Members, their guests and those interested in becoming members are invited to attend. -
9-4 Calendar
Edmond community events
4 Saturday
The 32nd annual Arts Festival Oklahoma is set for Sept. 4-6 at Oklahoma City Community College where festival-goers may view and purchase original artwork and handicrafts, listen to live performances and sample a diverse selection of food. Arts Festival Oklahoma is produced and hosted by Oklahoma City Community College. For more information, go to occc.edu/afo. -
Artist visits swan sculpture
Acclaimed as one of the world’s greatest living sculptors, Sir David Wynne unveils a commissioned iconic monumental-size sculpture, Swans in Flight, Friday afternoon in front of Armstrong Auditorium.
-
9-4 Calendar: Edmond senior center
Monday
Edmond Senior Center closed for Labor Day
Tuesday
9:15 a.m.: Early Risers exercise
10 a.m.: *Quilting group
noon: *Choir practice -
$20M concert hall opens in Edmond
Sitting in one of Armstrong Auditorium’s plush seats, looking at the concert stage you can easily imagine Luciano Pavarotti singing “Nessun Dorma.”
It won’t be long before patrons will be listening to actual world-class artists performing on the stage. -
Republican women open HQ
Republican gubernatorial candidate Mary Fallin asked undecided voters to carefully consider where each candidate stands on issues concerning Oklahoma.
The 5th District congresswoman was one of many dignitaries attending the Edmond Republican Women Headquarters grand opening Thursday morning at 3409 Broadway Extension, suite 600. - More Local News Headlines
-
