A Tampa jury has found a Plant City man guilty for a real estate scam that spanned at least five Florida counties over the past three years.
Following a prosecution by Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, Chris McDonald, 47, was found guilty on one count of organized fraud and three counts of grand theft over $100,000.
McDonald identified properties that were for sale, in default or in some stage of foreclosure. He would then access the vacant residences and change the locks, renting out the properties without the knowledge or consent of the property owners.
The tenants were led to believe they were participating in a “lease to own” program and would make a deposit, move in to the property, and begin monthly payments to McDonald. The lawful property owners would soon become aware of the unauthorized tenants and contact law enforcement to have them evicted.
“This man exploited distressed homeowners and defrauded Floridians seeking homes, and my Office of Statewide Prosecution has ensured that he has been held accountable for these crimes,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office and United States Postal Inspector’s Office arrested Chris McDonald for his role in the scam.
McDonald will be sentenced on Dec. 7, 2014.