Tampa lawyer, husband accused of racketeering in alleged mortgage conspiracy

TAMPA — Another couple was arrested Wednesday and accused of taking part in a wide-reaching mortgage fraud conspiracy.

William and Stephanie Bolton, both 33, of Tampa were held in a Hillsborough County jail on $700,000 bail Thursday.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said the Boltons were part of a group that falsified documents to get 50 mortgages worth $8.8 million from 2003 to 2007. Twenty-two of the properties scattered across Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough, Hernando, Osceola, Seminole and Orange counties went into foreclosure.

Stephanie Bolton was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2004 following her graduation from Stetson University College of Law.

Bolton worked for Carlton Fields from 2006 to January 2010 in the firm's construction litigation group, said Elizabeth Zabak, a spokeswoman for the firm. Zabak would not say why Bolton left the firm.

According to the Florida Bar, Bolton is now in private practice. She was charged with racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering and grand theft.

William Bolton was a licensed mortgage broker until 2009, according to state records. He was charged with racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering and grand theft.

They join two other couples, David and Melissa Barile and Craig and Lynne Hudson, along with Eric Rivero as defendants in the conspiracy case.