Connecticut woman's role in fraud scam leads to $1 million-plus loss

Jane Soulliere of Norwich, Conn. has pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford, Conn. to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, stemming from a mortgage fraud scheme based in southeastern Connecticut. According to court documents and statements, Soulliere was a member of the mortgage fraud conspiracy led by Jose Guzman and others. Soulliere was paid approximately $28,000 for participating in the scheme. However, her fraudulent conduct caused a loss of more than $1 million to lending institutions, according to the U.S. attorney's office. Soulliere is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 22, 2011 where she faces a maximum prison term of 20 years. To date, six people involved in the scheme have pleaded guilty. On Sept. 9, 2008, Guzman plead guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud. He awaits sentencing. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and the Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Michael S. McGarry. For more information, visit http://newhaven.fbi.gov.