Photo By Kip Or Kelly Browne Mortgage fraudster Larry Maxwell--described by Prosecutor Brad Johnson as one of the most sophisticated criminals in the history of Hennepin County--has been found guilty on all 18 counts of racketeering, identity theft, etcetera and etcetera after less than a day of deliberations, the verdict coming in shortly after 4 p.m.
The jury is still out, however, and will be considering whether aggravating "Blakely" factors exist which would mean even MORE time in prison. Maxwell is not free on bail and was immediately handcuffed by a Hennepin County deputy by order of Judge Regina Chu, over objections and/or protests by Defense Attorney Larry Reed.
Tears of thankfulness and relief flowed near the fountain on the second floor as the wife of John Foster--an introverted, mild-mannered UPS driver whose identity was stolen and used in complex mortgage fraud schemes--learned of the long-awaited result of her quixotic amateur investigation, which was ultimately hotly pursued by Detective Cory Cardenas of Bloomington and the Department of Commerce, and resulted in this 7 week jury trial which has revealed a massive, fungus-like infestation of mortgage fraud touching numerous properties in Hennepin County, especially North Minneapolis.
More details to follow.
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12 comments:
I heart eighteen GUILTYs.
nice picture of the NEW windows that were installed at 1564 Hillside.
Who wants to place a wager on how fast Reed gets the appeal filed?
I bet a round of drinks that it will be filed between 5/11 and 5/15.
Does this mean that Jerry Moore and his girl T-baby go down next?
This is an awesome outcome that was ultimately achieved by a team of dedicated professionals that include members of the Hennepin County Attorney's Office, Bloomington Police Dept., Minnetonka Police Dept., and last but not leat MN Dept. of Commerce investigators. The Dept. of Commerce investigators took an undeserved hit from the wife of John Foster in an earlier blog. Speaking from the perspective of a person actively involved in several mortgage fraud criminal investigations I can tell you that Dept. of Commerce investigators have played an integral role in the investigation of this case and several other high profile cases. Law enforcement would not have been able to learn how to investigate these cases and have them brought to successful conclusion without their help and counsel. Hats off, thank you and congratulations to MN Dept. of Commerce.
Re: the "new windows" at 1564 Hillside, something should be coming about THAT on this blog, stay tuned.
Re: round of drinks. If nobody knows who you are, how will anybody take you up on the bet? Reed will indeed file a timely appeal, and I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he tried to say stuff in the appeal like: one of the jurors made small talk with one of the witnesses according to this blog, right here. GROUNDS FOR MISTRIAL!!!
Good thing I kept my mouth shut about those payments from the CIA I personally forwarded to Barrel Of Fun, Dude Who Loves Sports, Mr. Edina and a few other jurors, though it's all a blur thanks to the CRACK we were smoking with the deputy in the jury room.
Re: T-baby, Jerry Moore. I find it hard to believe Moore wouldn't be a very important witness in the Tynesia Snoddy matter and, obviously, Snoddy has been indicted. HEY SOMEBODY GIVE ME THE DOCKET NUMBER ON THAT CASE!!!!
Re: Department of Commerce, thank you for posting that. It appears undisputed that the help of the Department of Commerce was invaluable in producing today's result. I try hard to tell the truth and not sugarcoat it.
The way John Foster's wife felt about the early phase of the investigation is/was a meaningful part of the story. Commenters are free to argue whether those feelings are/were justified.
In any case, I have advocated (via publishing an editorial written by Hawthorne Housing Director Jeff Skrenes) for resources to be shifted so adequate mortgage fraud investigations can take place and, in the way of prosecutions, cities/counties/ neighborhood councils can influence the fate of these houses many in terrible shape like 1564 Hillside.
The women I met from the Department of Commerce are/were sweet, wonderful, dedicated individuals and I tried very hard to discuss the critique from Mrs. Foster with sensitivity to all sides. And I remain open to comments, discussion on this topic which may (hint hint) be the subject of further blog posting.
It is wonderful that the commerce department did the job they did once the police were involved but it would be nice for people to know and feel that everyone has the right to be acknowledged and responded to without having to bring a police escort with you. Perhaps the lack of funding has something to do with it, but hopefully there is funding enough to at least call concerned citizens back and let them know what the process is, how to get things to move forward, and that the information if it is not where it needs to be, will be sent to the qualified person to investigate. There is appreciattion for everyone who took part in making this conviction happen, and hopefully bringing all this to light gives the commerce department new insights. From the stories being told, where it came from the police department the commerce department was excellent in their skills, dedicated with their time and had their hearts in the right place. It was a good ending.
I wonder if Ms. Snoddy knows where the bodies are buried in this case? After Reed's successful defense of Larry Maxwell, complete with "Snoddy Did It" brand closing arguments, one might wonder if she'll try to play "Let's Make A Deal" now...
This is absolutely wonderful (x18) news! Maxwell is now where he should be... Great blog coverage!!!
And here's an eerie note:
Guilty! fits in my headline space PRECISELY 18 times, and no more.
Any word on how Mr. Foster's credit is now? Are there any remaining personal damages that Maxwell may be held accountable for?
As I reported...somewhere...John Foster and his wife have filed a civil suit.
I am willing to bet Larry Maxwell has substantial sums squirreled away SOMEWHERE. But how will it ever be found?
It will take a long time for credit to be repaired. It seems like it should be easy, but it's not. We hired a professional to fix our credit a year ago and it's still moving slowly. The three credit reporting agencies are a world all of their own. Very difficult to make changes and they move very slowly!
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