Brandon man indicted in federal mortgage fraud investigation

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Brandon man has been indicted on a count of mail fraud as part of a mortgage fraud scheme, according to federal prosecutors.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida said Brandon Dutch Mendenhall, 46, of Brandon, Florida, operated RAD Diversified REIT and other investment funds that got people to invest in real estate.

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Prosecutors said in November 2021, Mendenhall applied for a home mortgage with a lender to buy his personal home.

However, during the application process, the defendant was alleged to have "over-inflated his personal income" by presenting the business operating accounts for the investment funds as his own personal income because he owned the businesses.

"This information was material to the lender's decision regarding whether the lender would approve and fund the $1.2 million mortgage loan Mendenhall was seeking," the DOJ release stated. "As a result of the material misrepresentations made by Mendenhall, Mendenhall caused the mortgage closing documents to be sent by mail to a title company located in the Middle District of Florida."

In addition to indicting him, the federal government intends to forfeit a house that is believed to be traceable to the proceeds from the alleged crime.

Prosecutors said they are looking for any other victims that Mendenhall may have defrauded. If he is convicted on his current charge of mail fraud, he could face a maximum of 20 years in federal prison.