Florida woman who operated in WNY convicted by jury of wire fraud

Correction: It was originally incorrectly reported that the woman faced 18 counts.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A Florida woman was convicted by a federal jury of four counts of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced Wednesday.

The charges carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

Officials said between March 2016 and May 2017, 44-year-old Angela Burdorf, of Florida, conspired with others to operate various illegitimate debt collection businesses in Kenmore, Buffalo, Lackawanna and the Town of Niagara.

The businesses used fraudulent means to collect on debts, recollect on debts already collected, over-collect on debts actually owed, and to process and transfer payments related to the collection of debts, the attorney's office said.

Both Burdorf's businesses and businesses she associated with allegedly used false and threatening statements during collection phone calls in an attempt to receive debt payments. Officials said the statements included referencing criminal statutes and threatening to file criminal complaints and/or arrest warrants.

The debtors were also routed to employees who allegedly posed as attorneys during the calls to try to intimidate debtors and collect their payments.

Burdorf's sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 26.