According to the certification document (available here), the Judicial Conference's determination is based upon "substantial evidence" that Judge Porteus (1) repeatedly signed false financial reporting forms under oath concealing cash and other gratuities solicited and received from lawyers who appeared in proceedings before him; (2) made false representations to gain extension of a bank loan; and (3) "repeatedly committed perjury" by signing false statements under oath in a personal bankruptcy proceeding enabling him to discharge his debts.

The certification does not otherwise elaborate on the bankruptcy criminal allegations.  House Judiciary Committee Chariman John Conyers, Jr. announced here that the Committee has retained Alan I. Barron as Special Counsel to lead the investigation.  The task force conducting the investigation is being lead by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) as Chairman and Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) as its Ranking Member.

According to a press release issued by the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Beechers filed a chapter 7 bankrutpcy petition in May 2007.  The filing stated that the Tammy Beecher had no income and that neither debtor had been involved in the operation of a business within the previous six years.  In fact, the Beechers owned a family business, "Fun 4 Kids Entertainment."  Only after the Beecher’s were presented with a coupon for $5 off any party, and reminded by the chapter 7 trustee they signed the bankruptcy petition under penalty of perjury, did the Beecher’s admit that the business had been operated on-and-off for the past three years.

In the three bankruptcy-related counts, the indictment charges Roper-Allen with concealing two bank accounts, a van and real estate located in Michigan.  The defendant is also charged with failing to disclose a 2005 judgment against her in the approximate amount of $70,000.

In other charges, Roper-Allen is accused of committing mail fraud in a scheme to defraud a customer of $44,000.  According to the indictment, Roper-Allen advised the customer to deposit into Roper-Allen's account $84,000 that belonged to a deceased relative in order to circumvent probate proceedings.  Roper-Allen later returned $40,000 together with falsified checks and receipts of fake funeral expenses to account for the difference.

U.S. District Judge Curtis Collier granted a common defense motion to extend the speedy trial limits due to the complexity of the case.  Among voluminous discovery materials to be reviewed, the case includes over 500 witness located in more than 20 states.  A summary of the charges and access to the indictment is available here.

The sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge William Dimitrouleas exceeded prosecutors' recommendations by approximately three years according to published reports.

According to the indictment, Alburez solicited homeowners who were delinquent in their mortgage payments and convinced them that her company, Community Home Saver Program, could prevent or delay foreclosure if the homeowners would transfer a fractional interest in their home to one of several fictitious entities and paid Alburez' fees.  She is accused of then filing fraudulent bankruptcy petitions listing the properties to trigger the automatic stay while she collected between $1,500 and $2,500 per month from the homeowners.