California Real Estate Broker Sentenced to 68 Years

By Tom Branch, on October 25th, 2010

The Associated Press is reporting that Kathy Chen, a California real estate broker, was sentenced to 68 years. Ms Chen was convicted for using stolen identities to purchase 35 homes and then intentionally defaulting on the mortgages to steal $17.5m.

Prison Cell

Licensed from iStockPhoto

The 49-year old Chen was found guilty on 136 felony counts including conspiracy, grand theft, and forgery. Warrants have been issued for her boyfriend and brother who authorities believe have escaped to Mexico.

The crimes were committed between 2005 and 2007. I don’t think that 3 to 5 years of living the high-life is worth spending the rest of her life in prison.

Crime doesn’t pay.

Tom Branch, Broker, CDPE, SFR

About Tom Branch

Tom Branch has written 597 posts in this blog.


Have you ever just met someone, but felt you like you'd known him for years? That's what most people experience with Tom. He has a knack for making folks feel right at home. After 21 years in the Air Force, loyalty and honesty are the foundation of everything Tom does. In addition to being a Texas Real Estate Broker, Tom is a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) and a Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource (SFR).

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