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TV sports anchor pleads guilty, will testify in fraud

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Jim Platt | 5:23 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007
Welcome to Utah, the fraud capital of the world. It always amazes me when people have little money, they work harder to get more, when people have lots of money, they want more and are willing to compromise themselves in order to get it. No wonder Utahn's get caught up in this manipulating. After all, our new national motto is: " IN GREED WE TRUST ".
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No sympathy here | 6:20 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007
So are we to feel sorry that he lost money in an attempt to get-rich-quick through illegal activity?
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bothered | 6:30 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007
yeah! forget about real estate fraud, what about talent fraud.
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VICTIM? | 6:42 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007
He is no victim. He knew exactly what was going on.
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R.M. | 6:58 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007
That is sad because Dave Fox is a super nice guy. I have always admired him. It does almost sound as if he was taking somewhat in this.
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Rocko Meese | 7:53 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007
Representing to a lender plans to occupy a residence with an acutal intention of selling upon completion of construction or purchase is a lot more common than people think. Mr. Fox just happened to get caught. This type of think happens a lot.
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Jay | 8:08 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007
Fox knows how to read. He knew the application that he signed said he intended to live in the home, and he knew he did not intend to live in the home. The only 'victimization' here is that he (and the others) got caught.
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Happens a lot? | 8:27 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007
That is sad, especially when there are a lot of hard working families out there, some two income families, just to have the American dream of owning a home.
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ro | 8:32 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007
These sounds like something Dave would do and then blame someone else after getting caught. It's no different than purchasing a second (winter) home in St George and declaring it your primary residency to avoid paying additional taxes or purchasing a second home in Nevada and declaring it your primary residency to avoid paying income tax, them claiming to be a victim once you�re caught! Does Dave own homes in St George and Nevada that someone tricked him into buying? Has Dave really accepted full responsibility? Come on Dave.. �tell us the rest of the story�
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Bill | 8:46 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007
The communications fraud statute is a blank check for prosecutors and lenders to victimize individuals that may have breached a contract. When did strictly civil acts become criminal? We should all be concerned that our government has taken away general power from judges (sentencing guidelines) and given extensive power to prosecutors. If you examine the communications fraud statute, just about anything applies. Mr. Fox's actions should not be considered criminal.
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Moessers | 8:50 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007
Murders. Drug dealers. MLM's in Utah conning old people out of their retirement. Oh, but one guy says he's going to live in a house that he doesn't... well let's just tie up the state's tax dollars on that one! I wonder if he watered the lawn on the property? I bet we could charge him with another crime if he didn't!
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SomeGuy | 8:54 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007
"He purchased a home, which he's responsible to make all the payments for, and he got no money out of it," said attorney Jim Bradshaw. "There are people who did make money off of this transaction, but the one who was stuck with the loss was Dave Fox."

LOL!!!! Nice stretch there! We're supposed to feel sorry for the dude?
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L.V. | 8:58 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007
Iraq, immigration,energy, health,politicans celebrities, business, people are all the same,driven by one thing GREED:
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Sports Fan | 9:04 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007
I hope Dave doesn't lose his job. He is the only good sports caster in the state. To bad he made some bad choices, like all of us do.
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Responses to Rocko & Bradshaw | 9:06 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007
To Rocko Meese: You wrote that "this type of think (sic) happens a lot," which seems to suggest that Dave Fox ought to be excused for it. I hope that's not what you mean. If I read it wrong, I apologize for twisting your words.

I've seen more underhanded business dealings in Utah than anywhere else I've lived. That's ironic for a state where members of the dominant religion supposedly "believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous" and in "obeying, honoring and sustaining the law."

An earlier post suggested Utah seems to be our country's fraud capital. I agree. Greed reigns supreme here, and it's about time we held people -- even marginally famous folks like Dave Fox -- accountable.

To Jim Bradshaw (Fox's attorney): Cry me a river! Your client knew what he was signing; that's why he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. He tried to defraud the lender to make a quick buck and he got caught. If he loses a little money on the deal, it's a small price to pay. At least he's not going to jail. Using pathos to invoke public sympathy is going to backfire here, Mr. Bradshaw. Don't do it.
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Andy | 9:24 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007
I agree 100% with Bill. There is a LOT of this going on. It doesn't make it right for the borrower, but the lenders really set themselves up. All Dave Fox did was sign on a owner occupied loan to get .5% better rate. Is that criminal? As far as I'm concerned if he is still meeting all of his contractual terms ie making his payment then there shouldn't be a problem. He is the one stuck with the house and the payment.
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SpiderPig | 9:25 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007
Fox was a victim in this. Someone probably convinced him that this wasn't illegal and it was done all the time. I consider myself smart and very pessimistic in money-making schemes and I could find myself listening to mortgage lenders, real estate agents, appraisers, etc. and trusting their expertise. True, he should have read the fine print and realized that he wasn't going to live in the house. I guess all Utahns need to follow the rule of money making schemes: "If it is too good to be true, then it probably isn't". Maybe we could get rid of MLMs for good in this state if people followed this. Good luck Dave and I hope you nail the people that took your for a ride.
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M.J. | 9:25 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007
Cutie pie Fox. Don't worry he!s so smart he!ll be able to talk his way out of this embarassment,ha ha.Have you ever heard of what goes around comes around? This fits.
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We all pay | 9:28 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007
All Utah homebuyers pay higher mortgage rates due to our state's reputation/history on mortgage fraud. Nationwide Utah is a disgrace. Mortgage and loan fraud are federal crimes. Read the standard loan application form which all borrowers sign. Most lenders in the mortgage are trying to stomp out this type of fraud. We applaud the government agencies that are trying to make a difference. Stealing from a lender, embezzeling from a employer or robbing a bank....is there a difference? I think not.
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ct | 9:32 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007
This is all about greed. Trying to take advantage of others while being dishonest and knowing it. I don't care how "nice of a guy" Dave Fox is, he knew exactly what he was doing! Cheating others and being greedy. Let's stop accepting that type of life style!
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