Lawyer convicted in one of largest mortgage fraud cases in Nevada

Following a month-long trial, a federal jury convicted a New Orleans lawyer late Thursday in one of the largest mortgage fraud cases in Nevada.

David Mark, who was living in Las Vegas when the massive scheme unfolded, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, mail fraud and wire fraud; two counts of bank fraud and one count mail fraud.

The jury, which deliberated more than two days, acquitted Mark of three bank fraud counts.

Senior U.S. District Judge Philip Pro allowed Mark to remain free while he awaits his June 29 sentencing.

Outside the courtroom, Nevada U.S. Attorney Daniel Bogden praised the work of the prosecution team and the Southern Nevada Mortgage Task Force that put the criminal case together.

Mark had provided the FBI in November 2007 with information that led to the indictment of a prominent mortgage industry couple in a fraud scheme that prosecutors alleged cost banks more than $52 million.

Prosecutors promised Mark immunity if he continued to cooperate against mortgage broker Steven Grimm and his ex-wife, real estate broker Eve Mazzarella.

Mark, who is not a licensed Nevada lawyer, was working as a transaction coordinator for Mazzarella’s real estate company at the time.

Grimm and Mazzarella were accused of using straw buyers between 2003 and 2008 to enrich themselves in a scheme that caused lending institutions to make $107 million worth of mortgage loans on 227 properties. Both defendants were convicted and given stiff prison terms.

Mark ended up being charged in the case after prosecutors said he “feigned memory loss” and breached the verbal immunity agreement before the couple’s trial.

Contact reporter Jeff German at jgerman@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-8135. Follow @JGermanRJ on Twitter.