Ex Wasserman Schultz aide indicted for bank fraud

Aug. 17 (UPI) -- A former IT aide to Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and other Democrats was indicted Thursday on fraud charges after he and his wife attempted to leave the United States for Pakistan.

The charges do not stem directly from work performed while on the congressional payroll, however prosecutors said the aide, Imran Awan, knowingly violated policies governing the Congressional Federal Credit Union and lied on two loan applications.

Awan and his wife, Hina Alvi, who also worked as an IT aide for Democrats on Capitol Hill, are accused of taking out $285,000 in home equity loans against two rental properties they owned in Virginia. The couple subsequently transferred nearly all of the money to associates in Pakistan. They eventually repaid one loan, but failed to repay $165,000 from the second.

The Congressional Federal Credit Union, which is available to members of Congress and their staff, does not permit individuals from taking out loans against rental properties because they are not the recipient's primary residence. Prosecutors said the couple lied and covered up the fact the homes were rental properties.

Read more: https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2017/08/17/Ex-Wasserman-Schultz-aide-indicted-for-bank-fraud/4351503015455/