Two Evans businessmen pleaded guilty Wednesday to mortgage fraud in a scheme that allegedly includes an attorney.

Robert C. Thigpen and Erich J. Haskell admitted in U.S. District Court that they took part in the ruse that defrauded banks and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

FBI Special Agent Charles McKee III testified that Mr. Thigpen and Mr. Haskell used their Heritage Lending Group mortgage company and Superior Home Builders Inc. to play a shell game with the banks.

On at least nine occasions, they fraudulently helped Vance Johnson purchase property in Richmond and Columbia counties.

HUD money was obtained allegedly to make repairs, but no repairs were made, Agent McKee testified. Instead, Mr. Thigpen and Mr. Haskell kept part of the money, paid some to Mr. Johnson and used some for down payments.

Agent McKee said Augusta attorney William O. Key Jr. was in on the scheme and knowingly served as the closing attorney on fraudulent purchases.

Mr. Key is also charged with mortgage fraud. His case is pending. According to the State Bar of Georgia, he has been licensed to practice law since 1983 and is still an attorney in good standing. His defense attorney, Michael Garrett, said Mr. Key is assisting the government with its investigation.

Mr. Johnson filed for bankruptcy and defaulted on nearly $500,000 in bank mortgages. The HUD program is also out $206,000, Agent McKee testified.

In discussing the release of Mr. Thigpen and Mr. Haskell on bond, U.S. District Judge Dudley H. Bowen Jr. questioned the appropriateness of the men associating with mortgage companies operated by their wives.

Attorneys Edward Tolley, of Athens, Ga., and Pete Theodocion, of Augusta, said the wives have worked in the mortgage business in the past and both families needed the income.

Judge Bowen ruled that if Mr. Thigpen and Mr. Haskell associate in any way with their wives' companies they must give a statement to everyone they deal with that says they have been convicted of mortgage fraud.

The maximum penalty they face is five years in prison and $250,000 in fines.