The Mortgage and Financial Fraud Division is Utah’s frontline criminal unit dedicated to the ethical and rigorous investigation and prosecution of mortgage fraud and other major financial crimes committed within the state. In every case, the division pursues justice on behalf of Utah and victims of fraud.
The division specializes in felony-level, multi-jurisdictional investment fraud and prosecutes complex schemes involving communications fraud, theft, and racketeering. Division attorneys and investigators apply their expertise to unravel sophisticated financial crimes and hold offenders accountable under state law.
Through aggressive prosecution and a focus on financial remedies and restitution, the division works to recover losses for victims and restore confidence in Utah’s financial systems.
new criminal cases opened
restitution ordered upon conviction
Anissa Elkins Brown was convicted after a three-day bench trial for diverting client funds through forged invoices while working at a travel agency, along with theft from a second employer. She was ordered to serve 30 days in jail, placed on probation, and required to pay $31,000 in restitution to her victims. The case highlights the Division’s commitment to protecting consumers from internal financial abuse.
While already on probation for tax offenses, Carry Woodland filed false tax returns and attempted to intimidate court officials with fabricated grand jury documents. He pled guilty to tax evasion and failure to render a proper return, and paid more than $97,000 in total restitution, fully satisfying both cases.
A licensed title agent, Ryan Goodrich, orchestrated a sweeping fraud scheme that defrauded Utah homebuyers, sellers, and lenders out of more than $9 million over two years. He was sentenced to two consecutive prison terms totaling up to 30 years, with more than $6.5 million in restitution still owed to 22 victims. The court emphasized the profound personal and financial harm caused by his betrayal of trust involving families’ homes and livelihoods.
Jonathan Mendez helped facilitate a business email compromise scheme that moved nearly $650,000 in stolen funds, spending and sharing more than $363,000 with a likely unidentified co-conspirator. He was sentenced to prison and ordered to pay $363,932.65 in restitution for his role in the cyber-enabled theft.
