Ex-Ohio trooper is accused of mortgage, bankruptcy fraud

9/20/2011

COLUMBUS — A former Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper is accused of mortgage fraud, bankruptcy fraud, witness tampering and other charges in an eight count federal indictment.

The government announced on Tuesday that 46-year-old Benjamin W. Richardson was arrested at his home north of Columbus on Sept. 6 and is in custody awaiting a court appearance Thursday. Officials say he resigned after the charges were returned.

Federal prosecutors say in statement that the indictment alleges Richardson conspired to defraud mortgage lenders out of $678,000 in transactions involving three properties he was buying. He’s also accused of under-reporting his income in a 2007 bankruptcy filing and of attempting to stop a witness from talking with law enforcement officers investigating him.

Messages were left Tuesday for the attorney for Richardson identified in court documents.