Newington Woman Sentenced to Two and a Half Years in Prison for Participating in Extensive Mortgage Fraud Scheme

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MALGORZATA KARAS-GOLKA, also known as “Margaret,” 46, of Newington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for her role in an extensive mortgage fraud conspiracy.  She was also ordered to pay $166,500 in restitution.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from approximately June 2005 to July 2010, KARAS-GOLKA, Filippos Milios, and others conspired to defraud banks and mortgage lenders in obtaining dozens of mortgages for the sale of properties owned by Milios, KARAS-GOLKA and others.  The conspiracy involved the use of straw borrowers, false mortgage applications, false HUD-1 forms and fraudulent down payments in connection with the purchase of nearly 50 houses primarily located in Hartford, New Haven and Middlesex counties.

As part of the scheme, Milios purchased properties, either in his own name, in a limited liability corporation in which he had an interest, or with KARAS-GOLKA.  Unbeknownst to the lenders who extended mortgages to the borrowers, KARAS-GOLKA submitted fraudulent documents in connection with the loan applications, including false HUD-1 forms, employment verification letters, and rental verification letters.

Many of the properties involved in the scheme ended up in foreclosure and lenders lost a total of approximately $5.6 million.

KARAS-GOLKA directly participated in nine fraudulent real estate transactions over a two-year period.  She falsely acted as a borrower, seller, landlord, and employer.

On November 5, 2014, KARAS-GOLKA pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud.

Former attorney Gabriel Serrano, who performed many of the real estate closings as part of the conspiracy, and Carmelinda Marotta, who helped flip and sell some properties, previously entered guilty pleas for their participation in the mortgage fraud scheme.  Both await sentencing.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David T. Huang and William J. Nardini.