House flipper from Fla. indicted in Ohio

CLEVELAND (AP) — Prosecutors in Cleveland say a Florida man filed forged deeds to illegally buy and sell scores of houses in 15 Ohio counties.

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason on Wednesday announced the indictment of Blaine Murphy and his company on charges including records tampering, money laundering, possessing criminal tools and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.

Mason says the Naples, Fla., man forged the deeds under the fictitious name “Bryce Peters III.” A news release says nearly 100 of the properties fell into tax foreclosure with more than $1 million in taxes owed. Authorities also say the 43-year-old Murphy ignored property code violations.

Murphy’s attorney tells The Plain Dealer of Cleveland the charges are ludicrous. Murphy has been jailed without bond.