Florida Pair Accused of Taking $2.6 Million Through Forged Court Filings

Two Florida residents are accused of obtaining about $2.6 million through forged court filings and stolen identities in a scheme targeting money left after mortgage foreclosure proceedings. State investigators say the defendants attempted to acquire more than $5.5 million in foreclosure surplus and estate funds over several years.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said the suspects allegedly arranged for attorneys and law firms to electronically file forged legal documents with the Orange County Clerk of Court. Those filings purported to transfer rights to surplus funds left after foreclosure sales. FDLE alleged that Murphy and Sarita received approximately $2.6 million, while their attempts to obtain foreclosure-surplus and estate funds totaled more than $5.5 million. Authorities said Murphy also used a deceased person’s identity to open accounts and claim to be a relative.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced the arrests of Douglas Lorenzo Murphy Jr., 33, and Ericka Elsa Sarita, 49, on October 20. Both were taken into custody earlier that month and face charges including aggravated white-collar crime, organized fraud, identity-information offenses and money laundering.

Investigators say the case involved a system of documents submitted through lawyers and law firms to the Orange County Clerk of Court. Authorities allege that the filings falsely changed who was entitled to foreclosure surplus money, redirecting funds to people and entities connected to the defendants.

How the alleged filings worked

A foreclosure sale can leave money after a mortgage debt and associated costs are paid. That remaining money can become the subject of court proceedings and claims by parties asserting a lawful right to it. In this case, investigators allege that the defendants used forged documents to create the appearance of such rights.

FDLE said the Office of Statewide Prosecution alerted investigators to suspected misconduct on August 7, 2025. Agents then examined filings and identified people they believe had arranged the submissions. The agency reported that the alleged activity stretched from 2018 through 2026.

The forms were electronically filed through the court system, according to FDLE. Investigators said the defendants used stolen identities, falsified corporate arrangements and documents to reassign rights to the money. Those allegations help explain why the investigation involved court records as well as financial transactions.

The agency charged each suspect with a count involving criminal use of personal identifying information for ten or more victims. That is the legal accusation reported by FDLE, not an independently established count of people whose losses have been proved at trial.

An allegation involving a deceased person

The case includes a separate, unusual identity allegation. FDLE said Murphy used the identity of a deceased person, falsely claimed to be a relative, opened financial accounts in that person’s name, authorized cremation and took possession of the remains.

The allegation is notable because it describes misuse of a person’s identity after death, rather than only the theft of a living victim’s financial information. It also points to why documents used in probate, estate and property matters can become central evidence in financial-crime investigations.

FDLE said the suspects obtained approximately $2.6 million and attempted to acquire more than $5.5 million in the alleged scheme.

Arrests and continuing investigation

FDLE said agents secured arrest warrants for Murphy and Sarita on October 4 and arrested them the same day. Both were taken to the Orange County Jail. The Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution is handling the criminal case.

The agency described the investigation as active after the arrests. Its public statement did not report convictions, guilty pleas or the final disposition of all disputed property or money. The defendants have the right to contest the charges and evidence.

The case links two forms of documentation that are normally part of legitimate administration: court filings determining claims to foreclosure proceeds and identity documents used in property or estate transactions. Investigators allege that the defendants exploited both to claim funds they were not entitled to receive. The criminal process will determine whether those allegations are proved.

References: Florida Department of Law Enforcement

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