Mortgage Fraud Investigations and Prosecutions Unit

The Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant Program (Byrne Competitive Program) will help communities improve the capacity of state and local justice systems and provide for national support efforts including training and technical assistance programs strategically targeted to address local needs. This competitive grant announcement focuses on initiatives in eight areas: 1) preventing and reducing violent crime through community-based data-driven approaches; 2) providing funding for neighborhood-based probation and parole officers; 3) reducing mortgage fraud and crime related to vacant properties; 4) hiring of civilian support personnel in law enforcement (training staff, analysts, dispatchers, etc.); 5) enhancing forensic and crime scene investigations; 6) improving resources and services for victims of crime; 7) supporting problem-solving courts; and 8) national training and technical assistance partnerships.

Under category 3, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office will use the grant award to: hire eight prosecutors and two investigators; build on existing partnerships and develop new relationships with financial institutions; develop cases on multiple corrupt appraisers and brokers, creating a "sweep" effect with the goal of creating a deterrent effect; and reduce neighborhood blight resulting from home foreclosures through the restoration of properties to productive and responsible ownership.

CA/NCF