Local real estate broker pleads guilty to obstruction of justice, avoiding reporting requirements

February 28, 2026 - 02:16

A licensed real estate broker from Southern Oregon has pleaded guilty to a federal charge of obstruction of justice. The charge stems from her deliberate actions to avoid federal reporting requirements during a high-value cash transaction.

In a recent interview, the broker stated she believed her client was "above board" and did not initially find his activities suspicious. However, federal investigators outlined a different scenario. The broker admitted to knowingly structuring a $265,000 cash real estate transaction to avoid the mandatory filing of a Currency Transaction Report, a federal document designed to flag potential money laundering.

Furthermore, after learning of the federal investigation, she attempted to conceal her conduct by creating a backdated document meant to justify the unreported cash payment. This act led directly to the obstruction of justice charge.

The client involved in the transaction is separately facing sentencing in April on charges related to operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. The broker now awaits her own sentencing, where she could face a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and a significant fine. The case underscores the legal obligations of real estate professionals within the federal anti-money laundering framework.