Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
Headline: Louisiana Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Fraud Scheme Targeting Realtors
PITTSBURGH – A resident of the state of Louisiana has been sentenced in federal court to 38 months imprisonment followed by three years supervised release, and restitution in the amount of $1,628,319.04, on his conviction of mail fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence yesterday on Rex Alan Harris, 41 of Covington, Louisiana.
According to the information presented to the court, since 2008, Harris and his company “Agents by City” defrauded hundreds of realtors nationwide who were promised television advertising to generate home sales leads and referrals for real estate agents. Realtors were induced into contracts for television advertising on major television networks based upon the realtors’ zip codes. Real estate agents in the Pittsburgh area were defrauded as well, and promised television advertising that neither occurred nor produced referrals. Harris and others spent the money on personal items.
Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Brady commended the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Rex Alan Harris.