Michigan Attorney General Convicts Couple for Fraud

The United States Attorney General for the Western District of Michigan publicized in a press release the conviction of Patricia L. VanderZwaag, 37, and her husband Daniel Lee VanderZwaag, 36, of Holland, Michigan for their involvement in a mortgage fraud scheme.

Patricia L. VanderZwaag was convicted of one count of mail fraud, one count of wire fraud, one count of financial institution fraud and one count of money laundering. Her husband Daniel was convicted by the court in Kalamazoo with one count of mail fraud and one count of wire fraud.

The VanderZwaags are the owners of Mad Jac Corporation also called B & J Towing. The couple submitted to mortgage lenders falsified documentation in order to obtain loan proceeds. They submitted documentation to the National City Bank and Option One to establish two first lien mortgages on the same property. Mrs. VanderZwaag in addition used fraudulent information that included the Social Security number of someone else to ascertain a mortgage loan from National City Bank. She transferred sixteen thousand dollars from one of the mortgage loans to another bank institution in order to launder the funds.

The properties involved in the case are located at 2121 Oak Hollow Drive, Jenison, Michigan and 4233 Creekview Drive, Hudsonville, Michigan.

The Chief United States District Court Judge, Paul L. Maloney remanded the VanderZwaags after the conviction to the custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. The sentencing as of today has not been scheduled.  Patricia VanderZwaag sentencing can have a maximum of thirty years in federal prison and a she can be ordered to pay restitution up to one million dollars. Daniel Lee VanderZwaag sentence can have a maximum penalty of twenty years in federal prison and he can be ordered to pay restitution up to one million dollars.

The United States Attorney Donald Davis praised the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their contributions to investigation of this case and their continued efforts in fighting crimes of fraud in the state of Michigan. Davis also commended Assistant United States Attorney Timothy P. VerHey for his prosecution of the case.