Former NASA employee, spouse charged with mortgage fraud 

A Missouri City, Texas, couple, one of whom worked for NASA, is accused of orchestrating a financing and refinancing mortgage loan scheme for a luxury home.

Noreen Khan-Mayberry, the former NASA employee, and her husband, Christopher Mayberry, aged 50 and 51, allegedly made false statements to mortgage loan businesses, according to a U.S. Attorney’s Office press release.

The charges date back to 2016 when Khan-Mayberry and Mayberry allegedly obtained substantial personal loans to finance the purchase of their luxury home. But the couple quickly defaulted on the loans, and allegedly engaged in efforts to eliminate and dispute the debts, portraying themselves as victims of identity theft. 

Khan-Mayberry reportedly filed a false police report, submitted misleading information to the Federal Trade Commission, and sent letters to credit bureaus to have the loans removed from her credit record.

As part of their scheme, the couple is accused of entering into three separate loan agreements with mortgage lenders between 2017 and 2021. During the loan application process, they allegedly provided false employment information and fabricated documents, including pay stubs, tax forms, and account statements, to the lenders.

If convicted, Khan-Mayberry and Mayberry face up to five years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. 

Additionally, the indictment includes the possibility of forfeiting their luxury home as part of the penalties. 

The couple surrendered to federal authorities and are expected to make appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Yvonne Ho.

Khan-Mayberry was reportedly the first female space toxicologist in the world, according to the Houston Chronicle.