2 men charged in multi-million dollar mortgage fraud

A multi-million dollar fraud investigation has resulted in charges against a former Calgary lawyer and a former mortgage broker.

In June 2012, a couple agreed to sell a home for more than $2 million. Once the paper work was complete, police allege the cash was provided to a lawyer to be held in trust. Six months later when the conditions of the sale had been met the money was supposed to be released to the seller.

But, police claim that when the funds were supposed to be handed over, the seller discovered the lawyer had left the province with their money in tow.

During the same time period, the mortgage broker and lawyer are also accused of defrauding seven property owners through a bridge financing scheme. According to the Economic Crimes Unit, the two obtained personal information from property owners and then contacted investors for bridge financing totalling more than $3million.

Police allege most of that money went missingwhen the lawyer left the province. In all, police say the suspects took more than $5 million from Calgarians.

Floyd Campbell, 46, lives in Winnipeg andis facing numerous theft and fraud charges. He has been disbarred by the Alberta Law Society and will appear in court again on July 17.

Brandon Antonini, 43, has also been charged with numerous counts of theft and fraud.He has withdrawn his mortgage broker license and is now subject to a voluntary lifetime prohibition. He will appear in court on June 9.