Realtor gets 26 years for mortgage fraud

TAMPA — U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich sentenced John Lebron to 26 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud affecting a financial institution, and making false statements to a financial institution. Lebron was found guilty of these charges Oct. 19, following a three-week trial.

In addition, Kovachevich ordered the 33-year-old Tampa resident to pay a money judgment of nearly $1.47 million, and serve a five-year term of supervised release following his release from prison.

According to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida, Lebron worked as a loan officer and was also a Florida-licensed Realtor. Court documents say Lebron, working with another Realtor, started a company called EZ Investments as part of his scheme.