<p>A federal jury found 10 people guilty Wednesday in a mortgage fraud scheme that authorities said involved more than $41 million.</p><p>Thirteen others pleaded guilty earlier to participating in the scheme, including "straw purchasers" or those who recruited them to buy houses in their names at inflated prices, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.</p><p>Two others were acquitted before the eight-week trial began. Two defendants await trial, and two are fugitives, prosecutors said.</p><p>Among those on trial was Phillip E. Hill, 49, of Blounstown, Fla., who was convicted of conspiracy, loan fraud, mail and wire fraud, and money laundering.</p><p>Hill made more than $14 million through the scheme to obtain mortgages of more than 50 homes and over 250 condominiums in eight Atlanta-area condominium complexes from 2000 into 2003, the prosecutors said.</p><p>According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, each property was sold at an inflated price to a "straw purchaser" who applied for a mortgage loan based upon the inflated price in what is known as a mortgage "flip." Some of the properties were "flipped" more than once, with the assistance of fraudulent appraisers and loan officers who also were charged.</p><p>Other leaders in the scheme were identified as Leslie Rector, 35, and David Van Mersbergen, 46, both of Atlanta.</p><p>Also convicted on charges including conspiracy, loan fraud, mail and wire fraud and money laundering were: Marcus C. Alcindor, 42, of St. Lucia; Barbara Brown, 34, of Marietta; Fred Farmer, 59, Roswell; Christine Laudermill, 40; Robert Powers, 45, Cumming; David Thomas, 46, of Baton Rouge, La.; and Dean Thomas, 42, Atlanta.</p><p>The defendants will be sentenced in July before U.S. District Court Judge Thomas W. Thrash Jr.</p>
