Several high-profile members of the government have been accused of committing mortgage fraud recently, including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. Today, Chuck and Abby explore how mortgage fraud distorts the housing market, why it happens so frequently — and why no one in the financial system is interested in stopping it. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “ Ken Paxton Claimed Three Houses as His Primary Residence, Records Show ” by Pooja Salhotra, The New York Times (July 2025). “ Mortgage-Fraud Accusations Are Trump’s New Political Weapon ” by Gina Heeb and Brian Schwartz, The Wall Street Journal (August 2025). Chuck Marohn (Substack) Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom . This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.
