An Atlanta woman is facing twenty years in prison for impersonating an NBA player and taking out a loan.
What We Know:
- According to CNN, 51-year-old Annie Ford has pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. During her hearing at the U.S. District Court in New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito stated that Ford had created false statements under the unknown NBA player’s name. She had also faked his signature on an excessive amount of papers that were needed to apply for a loan.
- In October and November 2013, Ford applied for a $2.5 million loan, in the name of the unidentified NBA player, including an escrow document that said the money would be deposited into Ford’s bank account. There was also an incident cited in the indictment where Ford had gained a participant in her scheme and had them pretend that they were the NBA player, confirming the loan application.
- The U.S. attorney’s office says that the wire fraud charge carries a punishment of up to twenty years in prison, along with a $250,000 fine. Ford also faces up to an additional two years in prison for aggravated identity theft.
- There is no word on if her accomplice will be punished however, media outlets have tried to reach out to Ford’s attorney for comments, but have been unsuccessful. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Ford on March 4, 2020.
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