April 27, 2024

Dubious Achievers - Florida Newsmakers of the Year

Mike Vogel | 1/1/2011

• LEE FARKAS
Taylor Bean & Whitaker, Ocala

Lee Farkas
[Photo: Bruce Ackerman/Ocean Star Banner]
Mortgage Mess

Lee Farkas took mortgage company Taylor Bean & Whitaker from small beans to one of the nation's largest mortgage players not owned by a bank. It closed in 2009 amid allegations of a $1.9-billion fraud that sank Alabama-based Colonial Bank, one of the 10 largest banks in Florida by market share and Taylor Bean's largest lender. Farkas, 57, in 2010 was arrested on bank and securities fraud charges for allegedly trying to hide losses from financial firms and the government.


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