Former housing executive Michael Fein has been extradited from Israel to St. Louis, Missouri, to face federal bank and wire fraud charges. Indicted in 2020, Fein is accused of orchestrating a $28 million multi-family apartment loan scheme that relied on falsified tenancy and inflated occupancy records. He now faces major financial asset forfeitures up to $23 million.
St. Louis’ Crime Chime – Weekly Whirlwind of Woes: Grounded by the Feds: Inside Michael Fein’s Massive Apartment Rental Fraud and the International Extradition Forcing Him to Face Justice in St. Louis
Six years on the run, thought the trail had gone cold, For a twenty-eight million dollar scheme that he sold. An executive named Fein, forty-seven years old, Falsified the records for the complexes he controlled.
From St. Louis to Tulsa, the numbers were staged, Inflating the tenants on the ledger’s white page. Pinnacle Ridge, Green Village in the mix, Lying to the banks just to get a cash fix. He hiked up occupancy from fifty to eighty-eight, To secure a giant loan and a heavier plate.
While the low-income families faced substandard floors, The feds pulled the vouchers and closed up the doors. Fein took a flight, tried to vanish from the state, Landing in Israel to escape from his fate.
But international boundaries don’t stop the design, When the Marshals and the Bureau are tracking the line. Extradition approved, now he’s back on the flight, Touching down at JFK in the morning light. Now he’s bound for St. Louis to stand in the court, Facing bank and wire fraud for the millions he short.
Twenty-three million is the price for the forfeiture claim, No matter how far you run, justice remembers the name.
From heartbreaking losses to shocking crimes, these stories paint a sobering picture of the challenges facing our communities. Let’s hope for justice, healing, and a safer tomorrow.
St. Louis Crime Chime: Partnering for a Safer Community
The St. Louis Crime Chime is evolving into a mission-driven organization dedicated to partnering with local public safety agencies and community-focused media, such as The Evening Whirl and Real STL News, to shine a light on social and violence-related issues. Our goal is to provide resources that support both victims and perpetrators of traumatic events, fostering healing and prevention within our community.
Through its St. Louis Crime Chime section. This essential platform empowers residents by highlighting emerging threats and safety concerns, encouraging vigilance and informed decision-making. Beyond reporting, it holds individuals and institutions accountable by keeping arrests and legal proceedings in the public eye, promoting transparency and urging neighbors to protect and support one another.
While the headlines often confront difficult truths, they also serve as a rallying cry for action. By staying informed through reliable sources and official police data, residents can move beyond fear and take an active role in prevention and community-building efforts. Together, we can transform awareness into meaningful change, helping St. Louis write a safer, more hopeful chapter for all.
What You Can Do
- Get Mental Health resources help for you and your family
- For daily updates, check the SLMPD Crime and Investigations page.
- For anonymous tips to the St. Louis police, use the St. Louis Regional CrimeStoppers Hotline at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477)
- The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 for free and confidential support. We provide free & confidential support to people in crisis for any reason, 24 hours a day.
- StopBullying.gov: Offers resources and help lines, including options for youth and veterans (Dial 988 then press 1).
- Protect our children: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/keeping-kids-safe/can.htm
Stay tuned, stay safe, and remember: “If it’s crime you seek, we’ve got the streak.
#StLouisNews #TrueCrime #FraudInvestigation
