Contractor who stole property gets 30 years ["smear campaign" imprisons another African American]

Houston Chronicle ^ | September 14, 2012 | Lise Olsen

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Despite an unusual plea for leniency from Houston's city controller, five-time felon and swindler Dwayne Jordon was handed a 30-year sentence Friday after admitting to stealing 23 properties from rightful owners by forging deeds and building new homes on pilfered land.

He then resold the properties to unsuspecting victims.

Harris County District Judge David Mendoza said he weighed competing factors to find a "sentence that fit the crime." He said he considered Jordon's construction work on stolen and legitimate lots in a blighted neighborhood, evidence of his continuing scams while free on bond and Jordon's role as a father and community leader.

Ultimately, Mendoza found that Jordon's business was "built on a poor foundation."

"This was built on theft," Mendoza said, adding that Jordon stole more than land and money, but also his victims' "trust," "security" and even "part of their futures." Mendoza noted Jordon made minimal efforts to pay restitution while free on bond since 2009 and instead used some of that time to commit new crimes.

Defense lashes out

Jordon's defense attorney Chip Lewis, who sought deferred prosecution, blamed the Houston Chronicle's coverage of his crimes for Jordon's long sentence, although his client pleaded guilty to two felony thefts and could have gotten a 99-year sentence based on an extensive criminal history.

"It is beyond shameful that a man, who brought so much pride to Sunnyside, is now just another imprisoned African American as a result of your smear campaign and the political agendas of others," said Lewis, who promised to appeal.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

.....At those prices, Countrywide had to know they were buying garbage.

Yes. They had to.

[justlurking]

Title search and insurance is required by the mortgage company.

But if there is no mortgage or they aren’t legit, it isn’t required.