Thursday, August 19, 2010, 07:00

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/news/Lawyer-stands-accused-alleged-scam/article-2544576-detail/article.html

A SOLICITOR has appeared in court charged with money laundering and fraud in an alleged £650,000 property scam.

Benjamin Jason Cornelius, 36, of St Andrews Close, Mayals, indicated a unanimous not guilty plea when he came before Bridgend Magistrates' Court yesterday.

He faces 16 charges relating to false and misleading statements on mortgage applications on properties across areas including Swansea, Neath and Briton Ferry.

Hannah Norton, prosecuting said the case alleged "large scale money laundering, running into hundreds of thousands of pounds".

The figure stated in the charges, totals at £659,415.

Cornelius is accused of eight counts of transferring criminal property and eight counts of fraud.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction.

It is the prosecution's case that the alleged offences happened between February 2008 and March this year.

One of the charges states that between February 1 and March 1, 2010, Cornelius "transferred criminal property, namely a mortgage advance of £97,000".

Another states that between February 1 and March 1, 2008, he committed fraud by making a false representation to Bradford and Bingley by giving a "false certificate of title in relation to the purchase" of a property in Golwg y Bryn, Neath.

Other addresses named in the charges include: Giant's Grave Road, Briton Ferry; Dan y Graig Road, Neath; Tan y Darren, Pontardawe; and Gomer Gardens, Townhill.

Meanwhile, David Carl Richards, of Garth Road, Rhydyfro, Pontardawe, also faces 10 charges relating to fraud and money laundering.

The defendants are not jointly charged, but magistrates heard the offences were linked.

Richards, 32, who appeared via video link from Parc Prison, Bridgend, is yet to enter a formal plea.

It is alleged that he "provided false information of income in a mortgage application" on five separate occasions, causing a loss to either Bradford and Bingley or the Royal Bank of Scotland. Richards' committal hearing was adjourned until next Wednesday.

Cornelius will next appear at Cardiff Crown Court on September 20.

He was granted bail on the condition that he does not contact any prosecution witnesses. In addition, Cornelius's passport must also remain surrendered with police.