Virginia landlord sentenced to 17 years in prison for abusing Black tenants and forging signatures on COVID-19 relief applications (Video)

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A Virginia landlord will be sentenced to 17 years in prison for mistreating black tenants and even stealing their identities. Video David Merryman, 59, who owned more than 50 properties in the Hamptons and Newport News, was convicted of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and racial crimes. Disruption to housing and employment. Prosecutors uncovered Merriman's abusive tactics, including racial intimidation, threats of violence and fraudulently obtaining pandemic rent relief by forging tenants' signatures. He also neglected his property and allowed his tenants to endure unsafe and unsanitary living conditions. At the sentencing hearing, prosecutors sought a 14-year sentence, a sentence that his defense attorney, Andrew Sacks, called “excessive,” citing Merriman's extensive criminal activity over the past decade. Only six years are required. The judge ultimately sentenced him to 180 months in prison for wire fraud and 2 years in prison for identity theft. They had to endure brutal treatment,” said Ted Rose, a former FBI agent who investigated the case. Merriman apologized in court, saying he was “very sorry” and “very humbled” by his actions “. Prosecutors argued that Merriman's racist behavior was an elaborate scheme to speed up tenant turnover and increase profits. Tenants reported long-standing problems such as rodent infestations, leaking ceilings and sewage leaks. Assistant U.S. Attorney Detective Inspector Mack Coleman said: “A pattern is a way of identifying a specific intent to defraud. ” Like this: Like Loading… Discover more from Baller AlertSubscribe to get the latest posts delivered to your email.

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