Walla Walla Business Man Facing Serious Federal Charges

Mark Gilbert has pleaded not guilty to the charge bank fraud, which alleges he made false statements to a credit union to obtain a $745,000 mortgage loan.

In an indictment filed by U.S. Attorney Joseph Harrington, Gilbert is alleged to have falsely claimed he was buying the Hawaii home for his parents, and fabricated financial statements to convince the credit union to fund the mortgage.

By the end of 2013, all of Gilbert’s auto dealerships in Washington, Oregon and Idaho have been closed.

His trial is set for April 2  in U.S. District Court in Yakima.

The maximum penalty for the crime is up to 30 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $1 million.