FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Lauren Horwood
February 6, 2012	PHONE: (916) 554-2706
www.usdoj.gov/usao/cae	usacae.edcapress@usdoj.gov
Docket #: 1:10-cr-00450-AWI

            FRESNO, Calif. — United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that today Chief United States District Judge Anthony W. Ishii sentenced Brian Keith Cortez, 47, of Fresno, to 18 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release and $199,160 in restitution for evading the assessment of income taxes.

            According to court documents, Cortez was a real estate and mortgage broker who operated businesses in Fresno named Mortgage Express, Mortgage Express Inc., and Valley Investment Properties. Mortgage Express and Mortgage Express Inc., functioned as home mortgage brokers, providing, among other things, refinancing on mortgages and services for securing financing for home purchases. There were several branches throughout California, and Cortez owned one branch in Fresno. While Cortez owned the Fresno branch only, the other branches were independently owned, but provided Cortez’s with a 10 percent commission and a $200 fee for each loan they processed. As a result, Cortez generated substantial income through these businesses and evaded the assessment of his income taxes. According to the plea agreement, Cortez admitted that for tax years 2003 to 2006, his tax due and owing exceeded $200,000.

            This case was the product of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri prosecuted the case.

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