An upstate New York real estate broker was arrested on multiple charges related to forgery and identity theft.
CBS 6 Albany reports Jean Maloney, the owner of 21st Century Properties and Hanks Hollow Realty, was hired by a business in Halfmoon, New York, to manage its real estate transactions. On May 8, the business owner contacted the State Police to report potential fraud.
An investigation found Maloney forged the business owner’s signature on a real estate sale contract for a property owned by the business. The forged contract would have resulted in the property’s sale to Maloney, but it was uncovered prior to the transaction being finalized. Maloney falsely claimed ownership of the property in question on the loan application last September.
Maloney was arrested on May 14 on charges including forgery in the second degree, possession of a forged instrument in the second degree, identity theft in the first degree, and falsifying business records in the first degree. She was arraigned at the Halfmoon Town Court and released on her own recognizance.
What an idiot. Why? Just why?