FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
May 22, 2013
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Alabama Attorney General
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AG ANNOUNCES ARREST FOR MULTIPLE COUNTS OF
HOME MORTGAGE FRAUD AND FIRST-DEGREE THEFT
(MONTGOMERY)–Attorney General Luther Strange announced the arrest
yesterday of a Prattville woman for four counts of residential mortgage fraud, two
counts of first-degree theft and two counts of first degree theft by deception. Lynda
Branch, 59, formerly operated Professional Closing and Title LLC, doing business in
Prattville as Pro Close. Branch was arrested by the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office.
Attorney General Strange’s Office presented evidence to an Autauga County
grand jury on May 8, resulting in Branch’s indictment on May 10. Specifically, the
indictment charges:
One count of residential mortgage fraud in that Branch, knowingly and with intent to
defraud made a material deliberate misrepresentation, by certifying in a HUD-1
Settlement Statement that Professional Closing and Title would disburse $140,325 to
GMAC to pay off first and second mortgages on behalf of a consumer, with intent that
this misrepresentation made during the mortgage lending process would be relied upon
by the Wells Fargo N.A., in violation of Code of Alabama Section 13A-9-130;
One count of residential mortgage fraud in that Branch, knowingly and with intent to
defraud made a material deliberate misrepresentation, by certifying in a HUD-1
Settlement Statement that Professional Closing and Title would disburse $140,325 to
GMAC to pay off first and second mortgages on behalf of a consumer, with intent that
this misrepresentation made during the mortgage lending process would be relied upon
by consumers, in violation of Code of Alabama Section 13A-9-130;
One count of residential mortgage fraud in that Branch, knowingly and with intent to
defraud made a material deliberate misrepresentation, by certifying in a HUD-1
Settlement Statement that professional Closing and Title would disburse $273,399 to
USAA to pay off a first mortgage on behalf of a consumer, with intent that the
misrepresentation made during the mortgage lending process would be relied upon by
Wells Fargo N.A., in violation of Code of Alabama Section 13A-9-130;
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501 Washington Avenue Montgomery, AL 36104 (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us Page 2 of 2
One count of residential mortgage fraud in that Branch, knowingly and with intent to
defraud made a material deliberate misrepresentation, by certifying in a HUD-1
Settlement Statement that professional Closing and Title would disburse $273,399 to
USAA to pay off a first mortgage on behalf of a consumer, with intent that the
misrepresentation made during the mortgage lending process would be relied upon by
consumers, in violation of Code of Alabama Section 13A-9-130;
Two counts of first-degree theft by unauthorized control, of property valued at more
than $2,500 from Wells Fargo Bank N.A., in violation of Code of Alabama Section 13A-8-
3; and
Two counts of first-degree theft by deception, of property valued at more than $2,500
from Wells Fargo Bank N.A., in violation of Code of Alabama Section 13A-8-3.
No further information about the investigation or about Branch’s alleged crimes
other than that stated in the indictment may be released at this time.
If convicted, Branch faces a maximum penalty of two to 20 years imprisonment
and fines of up to $30,000 for each of the four counts of first-degree theft, which are
class B felonies. For each of the four counts of home mortgage fraud, which are class C
felonies, she faces penalties of one to ten years imprisonment and fines of up to $15,000.
The case was investigated by Special Agents of the Attorney General’s Office
with assistance from the Prattville Police Department, and is being prosecuted by
Assistant Attorney General Stephanie Billingslea of the Attorney General’s Criminal
Trials Division.
*An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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