Real estate broker convicted of 12 felonies

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The judge comes to his verdict for former Lafayette real estate broker Brenda Hatfield.

43-year-old Hatfield has been found guilty of 12 felony charges of forgery and not guilty on one charge of business corruption.

Prosecutors said Hatfield had her assistants forge signatures on land contracts so she could obtain tax breaks.

The state called more than a dozen people to the stand who say they did not sign land contracts and did not give permission for Hatfield to do so.

Hatfield said she never instructed her two assistants to forge the signatures.

Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Pat Harrington said, "Lafayette police did a wonderful job on this case."

Hatfield faces up to 10 years in prison and 10,000 dollars in fines.

Hatfield's sentencing is set for March 30, 2012.