A former NASA scientist, Noreen Khan-Mayberry, and her husband, Christopher Mayberry, have pleaded guilty to orchestrating a mortgage fraud scheme involving multiple fraudulent loan transactions. Federal filings revealed that the couple fabricated income statements and manipulated loan paperwork to secure favorable mortgage terms.
Noreen Khan-Mayberry previously worked as a technical manager for NASA, while Christopher was employed by a NASA contractor, according to the Houston Chronicle. The investigation was conducted by NASA’s Office of Inspector General’s Office of Investigations, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Winter prosecuting the case.
The couple admitted to submitting fake pay stubs, employment records, and financial documents to inflate their income, enabling them to obtain loans for a luxury home valued at approximately $850,000. The scheme involved signing three separate loan agreements with mortgage lenders between 2017 and 2021.
When their fraud was discovered, the couple attempted to dispute the debts, claiming identity theft. Noreen filed a false police report and submitted fraudulent complaints to the Federal Trade Commission and credit bureaus in efforts to remove the loans from her credit history.
Facing federal charges, the couple now faces up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. They must also pay $276,709 in restitution. Their sentencing is scheduled for December 18 before U.S. District Judge Charles Eskridge.
