Fernley man indicted on real estate fraud charges

Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

A Fernley man was one of two people indicted May 16 on a total of nine felony charges for their roles in a scheme to transfer title to homes unlawfully.

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 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, depriving 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 AG Ford. “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.

An indictment is merely a charging document; every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.