Bank Employee Admits Submitting False Loan Application
PITTSBURGH, Pa. ‑ A resident of Ross Township, Penn., pleaded guilty today in federal court to a charge of bank fraud, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Matthew Bizyak, 37, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Bizyak, while an employee of Huntington Bank, submitted a loan application in the name of another individual without that individual=s authorization. The loan application contained several misrepresentations, including the that the borrower had owned an accounting business with three employees, that it was in business for 20 years, had annual revenue of $450,000, and a net worth of $500,000.
Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for Feb. 4, 2011. The law provides for a total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Mortgage Fraud Task Force conducted the investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Bizyak. The Mortgage Fraud Task Force is comprised of investigators from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and others involved in the mortgage industry. Federal law enforcement agencies participating in the Mortgage Task Force include the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation; the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General; the United States Postal Inspection Service; and the United States Secret Service. Other Mortgage Fraud Task Force members include the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office; the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, Bureau of Consumer Protection; the Pennsylvania Department of Banking; the Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Enforcement and Investigation; and the United States Trustee's Office.
Mortgage industry members with knowledge of fraudulent activity are encouraged to call the Mortgage Fraud Task Force at (412) 894‑7550. Consumers are encouraged to report suspected mortgage fraud by calling the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 441‑2555.
