Fernley resident indicted for fraud

LAS VEGAS — Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford announced that Ernest Aldridge, 78, of Fernley, and Clarence Willis, 76, of Las Vegas, were indicted on a total of nine felony charges for their roles in a scheme to transfer title to homes unlawfully, according to a media release.

The charges include six counts of theft in the amount of $3,500 or more, a category “B” felony; two counts of burglary, a category “B” felony; and one count of multiple transactions involving fraud or deceit in the course of enterprise or occupation, a category “B” felony. The alleged frauds were committed between July and October 2015.

According to the indictment, Willis obtained a Nevada business license in the name of Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA or Fannie Mae). He then recorded quitclaim deeds to properties owned by the federally chartered entity of the same name, purporting to convey these properties to Aldridge. In doing so, Willis and Aldridge deprived Fannie Mae of the ownership of these properties.

“Attempting to fleece a business out of its properties is a fraud that my office will continue to scrutinize,” said Ford in the release. “My prosecutors will work with our partner agencies to protect the integrity of our businesses.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of the Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Criminal Prosecution Division.