Prosecuotrs reported on Thrusday that a former real estate agent was sentenced to more than 14 years in prison for stealing his clients' identities to buy and sell property under their names. John Shaw, 47, was found guilty last year of 14 felony counts, including forgery, grand theft, identity theft, conspiracy, perjury and intimidating a witness.

According to prosecutors, Shaw assumed the identities of at least five people, mostly his clients, purchased real estate in their names, then sold the property to other names he assumed. He pocketed more than $1 million in profits from the sales.

Assistant District Attorney Stephen Gibbons said that Shaw had an associate, Cheng Guo, assault a witness to keep him from testifying against him. Guo's whereabouts are unknown. Shaw's wife, Mary M. Wu, 31, also was convicted of one felony count of identity theft and was sentenced to three years probation.

By M. Sese
http://realestatepress.org