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Justice Hathaway Charged With Bank Fraud Days Before Resignation

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Michigan Supreme Court Justice Diane Hathaway has been charged with bank fraud just a few days before quitting the state's highest court.

The charge was filed Friday and titled as a criminal "information," which means a guilty plea is expected in federal court.

Hathaway is resigning Monday, months after a series of suspicious real estate transactions were revealed . The government says Hathaway and her husband deeded a Florida home to a relative while trying to negotiate a short sale on a house they couldn't afford in suburban Detroit.

When the sale went through, the Windermere, Fla., home went back in their names.

Her attorney, Steve Fishman, declined to comment Saturday.

Hathaway quietly filed retirement papers with the state on Dec. 20 . Her last day as a justice is Monday.

Hathaway's term was to expire January 1, 2017. According to the government website that shares her biography Hathaway obtained a real estate broker's license and taught real estate law and continuing education classes to real estate brokers.

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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