CINCINNATI (AP) — An appeals panel has ordered a new trial for an Ohio homebuilder convicted in a $3.5 million mortgage scheme in the Cincinnati area.
The three-judge panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday reversed the conviction of Bernard Kurlemann on charges of making false statements.
The court upheld other convictions involving bankruptcy fraud.
Kurlemann, of Mason, is serving four years in prison stemming from his November 2010 convictions.
Prosecutors say the luxury-homes builder submitted false information on loan documents regarding down payments that were never made. They say that enabled Kurlemann to walk away from $3.5 million in mortgage debt.
The court says Kurlemann's actions may not amount to lying, but rather concealment.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
