MIAMI – The former mayor of North Miami was sentenced Tuesday to five years and five months in federal prison for her role in a multimillion-dollar mortgage fraud scheme.
Lucie Tondreau, 55, was convicted of conspiracy and wire fraud charges in December.
Tondreau must also serve three years of supervised release after prison and must pay restitution, to be determined later. She could have faced up to 30 years in prison.
"We appreciate the judge's consideration," Tondreau's attorney, Ben Kuehne, told Local 10 News senior political reporter Michael Putney. "We think that he was fundamentally fair. We asked for a lower sentence, but the government asked for a significantly higher sentence."
Prosecutors said Tondreau and another defendant conspired before she became mayor to defraud lenders using straw buyers, who obtained inflated loans for 20 properties. The scheme involved recruiting buyers through a radio program catering to Haitian-American listeners.
Tondreau's business partner, Karl Oreste, previously pleaded guilty.
"I wish I could turn back time," Tondreau said in court.
Tondreau became North Miami's first female Haitian-American mayor, but she was suspended from office by Gov. Rick Scott after her arrest. A new mayor, Smith Joseph, has since been elected.
"The true villain in this case is Karl Oreste, who received a 100-month sentence," Kuehne said.
Tondreau's daughter was relieved by the sentence.
"I'm just thankful that he actually was able to see it," Nancy Tondreau said.
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