Black Va. Lawmaker Admits Fraud, Quits

Virginia Del. Fenton L. Bland Jr. pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy to commit bank fraud in a scheme that involved a handful of forged real estate deeds and $460,000 in business loans obtained under false pretenses. He faces as much as three years in prison, according to federal guidelines, and he is scheduled to be sentenced in April. Bland (D-Petersburg) immediately offered his resignation from the House of Delegates. "There comes a time when personal responsibilities overshadow the work of the people and I have come to the conclusion that I must refocus my mission," he wrote in a resignation letter dated yesterday. His attorney, Murray Janus, said Bland would not be commenting on the case. "This case demonstrates that no one is above the law," U.S. Attorney Paul J. McNulty said. "When you engage in this kind of scam, it doesn't matter who you are or where you work, you will be held accountable for your actions." The single conspiracy charge arises from a set of transactions that began in 1995, according to court documents affirmed and signed by Bland. Bland "forged, or caused to be forged" the deeds to five real estate parcels in Petersburg and Ettrick, Va., essentially transferring them from two friends to himself or his funeral home business, according to the court documents. [more]