Realtor pleads guilty

LEHIGH ACRES — Realtor Barbara Diaz of Lehigh Acres, 37, pleaded guilty to defrauding mortgage lenders for loans totaling more than $1 million, according to a statement by U.S. Attorney Robert O'Neill.

The U.S. attorney says Diaz pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and nine counts of wire fraud. She faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison for each offense.

According to the plea agreement, Diaz conspired with unnamed others to defraud mortgage lenders by making false statements on settlement documents. Diaz recruited homebuyers to participate in the fraud.