Steve, Bugs and others… I’ve got a question about these appraisals.
Although we all *know* that the appraisals in these instances are fraudulent, can the appraiser just feign stupidity and say, “You know, here are the comps I used and I guess they were wrong. Damn, I sure am a dumb appraiser. Maybe the worst appraiser ever. But I certainly didn’t do anything with criminal intent.”
Is out-and-out stupidity a defense in these cases? Will the prosecutor have to find a trail of monies paid to the appraiser outside of the appraisal process?
