Man charged for impersonating U.S. Senator to dodge loan payments

TAMPA — Sidney C. Hines, 67, of New Port Richey, has been charged with five counts of false impersonation of a federal officer or employee.

According to an indictment from the U.S. Attorney's office, Hines received a mortgage loan for his home in New Port Richey and fell behind on his payments. To help Hines as a delinquent borrower, the Federal National Mortgage Association issued him a $5,863.73 HomeSaver Advance loan in October 2008.

Hines failed to make the required payments on his HSA loan and it was turned over to a debt collection agency. From March 2013 to the end of 2014, authorities say Hines impersonated a sitting U.S. Senator during multiple phone calls, stating that the loan was paid in full and should be removed from his credit report.

If convicted, Hines faces a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison for each of the five counts.