4.01.2008

Greenspan's Body Count

Of course, Greenspan's victims are not only those whose misfortunes in the real estate bubble drove them to suicide. There are also those who were driven to murder or attempted murder.

Today's episode of Greenspan's Body Count brings two cases from Michigan: one that got away and one that didn't. First, the one that got away:
William L. Harshman, who allegedly stabbed Lisa Heintz in her home in December, filed a suit last month alleging the Heintzes stole $90,000 from him as part of a mortgage scam, said Haley, his attorney.

Harshman, a former Mott Community College professor, is charged with first-degree home invasion and two counts of assault with intent to murder in the alleged attack on Lisa Heintz while the family was readying for a move to Florida. Heintz received non-life-threatening injuries.

Haley said Harshman's suit contends the Heintzes were assisting him in securing two mortgages for a home in Grand Blanc. When Harshman tried to refinance the mortgage, he discovered that the Heintzes had actually opened a line of credit that Harshman had to pay back, Haley said.

Heintz and her husband are now missing, and apparently on the run, with millions of dollars in foreclosures and lawsuits in an apparent straw buyer ring in their wake.

Now, one that didn't get away:
Bashar Farraj, 28, of Detroit, and Samer Fawaz, 30, of Dearborn, were found guilty by a jury that deliberated about 10 hours Thursday and Friday following a nearly 5-week trial.

Prosecutors argued the pair killed Raed Al-Farah, 27, of Madison Heights on Oct. 16 or 17 in the offices of Michigan Mortgage in Sterling Heights, likely by striking a blow to his head.

...

Motive may have revolved around a federal investigation of mortgage fraud involving the victim and defendants, the prosecution said.

Alan Greenspan, this kill's for you. Your housing bubble created a massive wave of mortgage fraud across the nation, and some mortgage frauds don't end as amicably as others.

Greenspan's Body Count now stands at eight:

Raed Al-Farah
Andrew Kissel
Rufus Shaw Jr.
Lynn Flint Shaw
Mr. Pierce
Walter Buczynksi
Marci Buczynski
Jason Washington

Thanks to Russ DoGG for the tips!

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