News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Sun. July 25, 2011: Richmond Hill, Queens, NY Guyanese businessman, Edul “Ed” Ahmad, has been arrested by U.S. federal authorities but released on bail.
Federal agents reportedly nabbed Ahmad off Delta flights 383 at JFK International that was heading to Guyana. He faces mortgage fraud charges but was released on bail of US$2.5M according to the New York Daily News.
He was hit with a criminal complaint alleging that he conducted an extensive scheme to commit mortgage fraud, regularly lying about applicants’ income and using straw buyers to hide his involvement.
The arrest comes just weeks after the Congressional Ethics Committee announced it will probe New York Rep. Gregory Meeks for his 2007 loan of $40,000, received from Ahmad. Meeks did not disclose the loan until last year when he repaid it. He also allegedly failed to disclose the source of income earned by his wife.
The panel has until August 15 to decide whether it will launch a formal investigation.
Ahmad has in the past been investigated numerous times for fraud and predatory lending. He is a friend to many local politicians including President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo and New York State Senator, John Sampson.
