East Texan Indicted in Bank Fraud Scheme
Posted/updated on: March 3, 2011 at 2:30 am
TYLER – A 59-year-old Pittsburg, Texas, man has been indicted in a bank fraud scheme in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Wednesday. Lesley Carroll Beene was indicted Wednesday and charged with bank fraud and false bank entries. If convicted, Beene faces up to 30 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $1 million. This law enforcement action is part of President Barack Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force.
The indictment alleges that on Aug. 4, 2008, Beene represented to Cypress Bank that he had a 2003 Kobleco SK 480 LC Excavator which he used as collateral to secure a loan in the amount of $150,000. However, when the loan became due, he allegedly failed to produce the collateral to Cypress Bank for inspection or sale.
On Aug. 30, 2008, Beene is alleged to have knowingly made false entries in the books, reports and statements of Cypress Bank. Specifically, according to the indictment, Beene claimed he owned four acres of land in Pittsburg worth $585,000 and that he had no mortgage on that property, when in fact, Beene had owner financed a 10-year mortgage from 2004 to 2014 on the property in the amount of $195,000.
