The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) Fraud Unit, along with the Harris County District Attorney’s office, investigated Telly J. Smith and his fictitious online title company named “Exodus Title Company,” which was not associated in any way with the legitimate, TDI licensed title company Exodus Title, LLC of Houston. Smith forged property deeds to steal the ownership of four properties and then stole money from lending institutions by securing over $3 million in mortgages on the stolen properties.
The 14-month investigation required the review of detailed financial records, real property and title records. The thoroughness of the investigation resulted in the suspect pleading guilty in the 230th District Court of Harris County. After pleading guilty, the suspect, Telly J. Smith, requested a hearing before the judge for sentencing. After reviewing the evidence of the investigation, the Honorable Judge Brad Hart sentenced Smith to 55 years confinement in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, assessed a fine of $10,000, and ordered Smith to pay $1.7 million in restitution.
Williams, McClure & Parmelee is dedicated to high quality legal representation of businesses and insurance companies in a variety of matters. We are experienced Texas civil litigation attorneys based in Fort Worth who know Texas courts and Texas law. For more information, please contact the law firm at 817-335-8800. The firm’s new office location is 5601 Bridge Street, Suite 300, Fort Worth, Texas 76112.
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