Federal authorities have charged 41 people, two from the Bronx, in a mortgage fraud involving tens of millions of dollars.

According to authorities, the scam was carried out in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and North Carolina. Authorities said the crackdown was aimed at the failure of gatekeepers in the mortgage industry to act responsibly and legally.

"We will route out those with felony backgrounds and we'll do background checks to ensure responsible individuals are in this business," said Richard H. Neiman, the superintendent of banks for New York State.

AP wire services were used in this report.