Real Estate Fraud Seminar

This seminar describes real estate fraud, and its impact on the market place, consumers and real estate professionals.

In this course we will provide an over-view of several ongoing fraud cases, and the nationwide extent of the problem. Later in the class we will focus on a specific case, providing a behind the scenes look at the details of the problem, and the resulting impact on an entire region.

Purpose

The purpose of this class is to provide real estate professionals a look at the extent of the problem in this area, and how they may be unwittingly participating in fraud. Educated professionals can avoid potential problems and help reduce the negative impacts of the problem.

Method

Information will be delivered in lecture format with examples, stories and current information displayed via PowerPoint® presentations.

Speakers will include appraisers, attorneys and State agency directors, all with first hand knowledge of the problem.

List of Speakers:

Richard Hagar, SRA - American Home Appraisals

Richard Hagar SRA is the owner of American Home Appraisals in Mercer Island, has an SRA designation with the Appraisal Institute and is a certified appraiser in Washington. He licensed by the State as an instructor in eight fields of real estate including "The Practice of Real Estate, Ethics, and Standards of Practice. His company is approved as a provider of education to real estate appraisers. Mr. Hagar brings more than 28 years of real estate experience to the podium and will provide extensive first hand knowledge.

George Jacobs - US District Attorney, Eastern Washington

As an Assistant United States Attorney, Mr. Jacobs is charged with the responsibility of representing the United States in federal criminal matters before federal courts. He has been sole or lead trial counsel for the United States in several large white collar and criminal tax cases in the Eastern District of Washington, the Northern District of Georgia, the Southern District of Florida, the Middle District of Florida, and the Central District of California. He has tried wire fraud, conspiracy, corporate embezzlement, tax evasion, witness tampering, narcotics trafficking, gun, and structuring cases. He has worked on money laundering, identity fraud, misapplication of bank funds, theft of government property, and a myriad of other cases. Recently, he was sole government trial counsel in a major wire fraud conspiracy case which involved the presentation of over 60 witnesses and thousands of pages of documents.

Prior to joining the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Washington, Mr. Jacobs worked as a Trial Attorney with the Southern Criminal Enforcement Section of the Tax Division at the United States Department of Justice. While there, he received the U.S. Department of Justice Tax Division=s Outstanding Attorney Award in 1997, 1998, and 2000 and an Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, Honorary Special Agent Award.

Prior to entering public service, Mr. Jacobs practiced law at a private law firm in Washington, D.C. He holds law degrees from the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England and Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, Georgia. He received his undergraduate degree from Brown University.

Rebecca Jacobsen, Attorney - State of Washington Attorney General’s Office

Ms. Jacobsen is the State's new head of mortgage fraud for the Attorney General's office, she will be overseeing future prosecutions for the department. Upon graduation from law school and admission to the Oklahoma Bar, Rebecca served in the United States Air Force as an Assistant Staff Judge Advocate. During her time in the Air Force she prosecuted and defended many complex criminal cases and served as an advisor to base commanders and staff agencies. As a litigator, she achieved outstanding results based on her thorough case preparation and exceptional courtroom skills. As an advisor, she was highly respected for her sound analysis and clear presentation of the issues.

Anthony Gibbons, MAI - Re-Solve Appraisals

Anthony Gibbons, MAI, CRE is principal of RE-SOLVE, a real estate appraisal, counseling and mediation firm dedicated to the successful resolution of value problems and disputes. Mr.. Gibbons has been performing appraisals in the Puget Sound Area for the past 21-years, and is a designated Member of the Appraisal Institute and a Counselor of Real Estate. He teaches the course on Appraisal at the University of Washington for the certificate in real estate program and is a contributing author to the Real Property Desk book published by the Washington State Bar Association.

Graham Albertini - Washington Mutual

Mr. Albertini is a review appraiser with Washington Mutual, he is involved with reviewing residential appraisals throughout Washington State.

Chuck Cross, Director of Consumer Services - Department of Financial Institutions

Mr. Cross is the current Director of Consumer Services and was the past "Enforcement Chief" for the department. In his capacity he oversees consumer complaints and enforcement actions against lending institutions State wide.

Cost to Participants

$95.00 (includes lunch)

Program Features