Sentence in Atlanta mortgage fraud case

A Detroit man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for participating in a mortgage fraud scheme in the Atlanta area in 2001 and 2002. U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Thrash also ordered 42-year-old Riley Graham on Friday to pay $670,000 in restitution to lenders who were swindled. Graham, who also has been sentenced to 20 years for taking part in a Michigan drug ring, was convicted Feb. 13 of conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors say he and a partner fraudulently obtained a $1.3 million loan to buy lots and also assisted in the sale of houses to "straw buyers" based on prices inflated by phony appraisals and other false documents.

(Associated Press)