Man's plan to skimp on mortgage debt fails

Sidney C. Hines, 67, of New Port Richey, admitted to impersonating U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Illinois, in order to avoid paying an outstanding mortgage loan.

Hines pleaded guilty to one count of false impersonation of a federal officer or employee of the United States, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's office. Hines faces a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison.

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, authorities allege, and the loan was turned over to ClearSpring Loan Services, a debt collection agency. Beginning in March 2013 and continuing through the end of 2014, Hines impersonated Durbin on multiple occasions in telephone calls he made to ClearSpring, officials contend. During those calls, acting as Senator Durbin, Hines stated his HSA loan had been paid in full and the loan should be removed from his credit report.