Lawyer Who Is Also a Rabbi Takes Plea in Mortgage-Fraud Case, Will Give Up Practice for 1 Year
After beating the rap in an earlier trial, a Connecticut lawyer has taken a plea in a mortgage-fraud case.
Rabbi David Avigdor, 58, pleaded guilty this week to making a false statement on to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development concerning a real estate closing, the New Haven Register reports.
While acting as the settlement agent in the transaction, he incorrectly reported how the funds were disbursed, the prosecution said.
He faces a maximum sentence of one year and a $100,000 fine. Avigdor also agreed to pay $20,000 toward restitution prior to sentencing, to surrender his law license for a year and to refrain from doing real estate closings if he returns to practice.
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Ex-Lawyer and Lawmaker Gets 5 Years for Handling Closings for Mortgage Fraud Ring”