A Boston-area real estate agent pleaded guilty to a scheme that saw him pocket $2 million from marketing houses that were not actually for sale, according to reports. 

Michael Flavin, 38, of Quincy, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated wire fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft in Boston Federal Court on Dec. 17, the Associated Press reported. His sentencing date has been set for April 12. 

Flavin’s attorney Steven Boozang told the AP that Flavin had “accepted full responsibility for his actions,” and that “all parties had been made whole.” Boozang and Flavin — who is identified in news reports as belonging to a high-profile Boston family — could not be reached for further comment by deadline. 

According to Massachusetts prosecutors, Flavin solicited deposits from buyers by marketing houses that were not actually for sale. 

U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Nathaniel Mendell’s office said the agent executed purchase and sale agreements and received deposit checks from buyers, even though sellers had not agreed to sell their houses. He then forged the signature of sellers on false purchase and sale agreements, prosecutors said. 

According to the Patriot-Ledger, Flavin created false email addresses to aid his scheme, including one address purported to be from a local fire inspector which contained an altered inspection report. 

Between 2017 and 2020, Flavin cashed more than 60 deposit checks, netting him approximately $1.8 million in ill-gotten gains, according to law enforcement officials. 

Flavin faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for each charge of wire fraud.

Email Ben Verde 

Show Comments Hide Comments
Sign up for Inman’s Morning Headlines
What you need to know to start your day with all the latest industry developments
By submitting your email address, you agree to receive marketing emails from Inman.
Success!
Thank you for subscribing to Morning Headlines.
Back to top
×
Log in
If you created your account with Google or Facebook
Don't have an account?
Forgot your password?
No Problem

Simply enter the email address you used to create your account and click "Reset Password". You will receive additional instructions via email.

Forgot your username? If so please contact customer support at (510) 658-9252

Password Reset Confirmation

Password Reset Instructions have been sent to

Subscribe to The Weekender
Get the week's leading headlines delivered straight to your inbox.
Top headlines from around the real estate industry. Breaking news as it happens.
15 stories covering tech, special reports, video and opinion.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
It looks like you’re already a Select Member!
To subscribe to exclusive newsletters, visit your email preferences in the account settings.
Up-to-the-minute news and interviews in your inbox, ticket discounts for Inman events and more
1-Step CheckoutPay with a credit card
By continuing, you agree to Inman’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

You will be charged . Your subscription will automatically renew for on . For more details on our payment terms and how to cancel, click here.

Interested in a group subscription?
Finish setting up your subscription
×