According to an announcement by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida, Brandon Dutch Mendenhall, 46, from Brandon, Fla., has been indicted for one count of mail fraud. If found guilty, he could face up to 20 years in federal prison.
The indictment also states that federal authorities intend to seize a house that is believed to be linked to the crime.
Court records claim that Mendenhall ran RAD Diversified REIT and other investment funds that sought investments in real estate. Starting in November 2021, he applied for a home mortgage with a lender for his personal residence. During this process, Mendenhall exaggerated his income and misrepresented business accounts of his investment funds as his personal income, claiming ownership of these businesses.
This misrepresentation was crucial for the lender’s decision to approve the $1.2 million mortgage loan he sought. Consequently, Mendenhall caused the mortgage documents to be mailed to a title company in the Middle District of Florida.
The investigation involved the FBI, the Florida Office of Financial Regulation, IRS Criminal Investigation personnel and the U.S. Department of Labor. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Merrilyn Hoenemeyer.