Posted By CotoBlogzz 03-31-2010 6:00 PM
SANTA ANA, CA - Trevor Mark Coffman, faces trial tomorrow for causing a high-speed freeway crash, killing two elderly passengers and severely injuring their elderly driver. Coffman, 38, Laguna Niguel, is charged with two felony counts of vehicular manslaughter by unlawful act without gross negligence while intoxicated with sentencing enhancements for causing great bodily injury to an elder. If convicted, Coffman faces a maximum sentence of 14 years in state prison. Coffman is out of custody on $100,000 bail. Opening statements are expected to begin tomorrow, Thursday, April 1, 2010, at 9:00 a.m.
On March 15, 2007, 76-year-old Sally Lee Howd and her 82-year-old husband Frank Howd were returning home with 72-year-old Catherine Malloy, a visiting friend whom they picked up from Los Angeles International Airport. They were driving southbound in the carpool lane on Interstate 5 and collided with a black Toyota Celica, which was disabled with no emergency signal lights on the freeway south of El Toro Road.
In the evening of March 15, 2007, Coffman is accused of consuming several alcoholic drinks following a recreational softball game. At approximately 11:20 p.m., the defendant is accused of driving southbound on Interstate 5 while intoxicated in his pick-up truck with a friend in the passenger seat. Coffman is accused of failing to stop due to his intoxication and crashing into the victims' Volvo, which was disabled as a result of the earlier collision. Witnesses called 9-1-1.
Coffman is accused of killing passengers Malloy and Frank Howd and severely injuring driver Sally Howd. Malloy was pronounced dead at the scene. The two other victims were transported to the hospital to be treated for their injuries. Frank Howd suffered internal injuries and a broken pelvis and died the next day from multiple traumatic injuries that were caused by the crash. Sally Howd sustained a skull fracture, broken ribs, and cuts to her face.
When contacted by police at the scene, Coffman is accused of displaying objective signs of intoxication including impaired balance and coordination, watery eyes, and an odor of alcohol on his breath. The defendant is accused of having a blood alcohol content of .10 percent and testing positive for marijuana. Coffman was arrested after being transported to the hospital and treated for a broken collar bone and scratches.
Deputy District Attorney Jason Baez of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Real Estate Broker Faces $17Million ID Theft Conspiracy Charges
Posted By CotoBlogzz 03-30-2010 11:30 AM
WESTMINSTER, CA - Kathy Chen faces trial today for conspiring with her boyfriend and his brother to commit $17.5 million in real estate fraud by purchasing 35 properties using stolen identities and intentionally defaulting on loans in order to steal the loan money.
Chen, 49, Westminster, is charged with 157 felony counts including one count of conspiracy, 47 counts of grand theft, one count of attempted grand theft, 40 counts of forgery, 30 counts of recording false documents, 30 counts of identity theft, one count of elder financial exploitation, four counts of forging an official seal, and three counts of filing false tax returns. She faces sentencing enhancements for causing loss in excess of $2.5 million and $100,000. If convicted, she faces a sentence ranging from two years up to 109 years in state prison. Opening statements are expected to begin today.
Chen's boyfriend, Richard Salgado Gonzalez, 60, and his brother, Daniel Gonzalez, 57, face the same charges and sentence as Chen. Fugitives Richard and Daniel Gonzalez have outstanding arrest warrants. Both may currently be living in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Chen worked as a real estate broker and owned several businesses including Chen Financial, Western Escrow, Nationwide Tax Services and SBC Financial. She is accused of conspiring with her then-boyfriend, Richard Gonzalez, and his brother, Daniel Gonzalez, to commit over $17.5 million in fraud by using the identities of unsuspecting or unqualified victims to obtain mortgage loans for the purchase of multiple properties. Chen and her co-defendants are accused of recruiting these victims in order to hide their own identities. These victims often spoke little or no English, were unemployed or had limited incomes, and had no intention of ever residing in or repaying any loan on properties in their names.
Between Jan. 13, 2005, and July 10, 2007, the defendants are accused of obtaining 47 fraudulent loans from 13 lenders on 35 properties in excess of $17.5 million through the use of the fraudulently obtained identities. These properties included 13 in Orange County, 16 in San Bernardino County, and six in Kern County. The defendants are being prosecuted in Orange County for all 35 properties.
The defendants are accused of using the fraudulently obtained personal and credit information of some of the fake buyers, including a 92-year-old woman, on several occasions without their knowledge or consent. Chen, Richard Gonzalez, and Daniel Gonzalez are accused of acquiring city business licenses using the stolen identities for nonexistent businesses in order to obtain higher income loans. They are accused of fabricating loan applications to reflect higher incomes for the fake buyers, forging the fake buyers' names and signatures on various deeds and loan documents, and forging seals and notary stamps on a variety of notarized documents and deeds. They are accused of fraudulently filing these fabricated and forged documents with the Orange County Clerk-Recorder's Department.
Acting as the escrow company, the defendants are accused of making some monthly payments on the loans to prevent suspicion by the lender. They are accused of then defaulting on the loan and keeping the remaining loan money.
This case was investigated by the Orange County District Attorney's Office. Deputy District Attorney Bill Overtoom of the Major Fraud Unit is prosecuting this case.
WESTMINSTER, CA - Kathy Chen faces trial today for conspiring with her boyfriend and his brother to commit $17.5 million in real estate fraud by purchasing 35 properties using stolen identities and intentionally defaulting on loans in order to steal the loan money.
Chen, 49, Westminster, is charged with 157 felony counts including one count of conspiracy, 47 counts of grand theft, one count of attempted grand theft, 40 counts of forgery, 30 counts of recording false documents, 30 counts of identity theft, one count of elder financial exploitation, four counts of forging an official seal, and three counts of filing false tax returns. She faces sentencing enhancements for causing loss in excess of $2.5 million and $100,000. If convicted, she faces a sentence ranging from two years up to 109 years in state prison. Opening statements are expected to begin today.
Chen's boyfriend, Richard Salgado Gonzalez, 60, and his brother, Daniel Gonzalez, 57, face the same charges and sentence as Chen. Fugitives Richard and Daniel Gonzalez have outstanding arrest warrants. Both may currently be living in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Chen worked as a real estate broker and owned several businesses including Chen Financial, Western Escrow, Nationwide Tax Services and SBC Financial. She is accused of conspiring with her then-boyfriend, Richard Gonzalez, and his brother, Daniel Gonzalez, to commit over $17.5 million in fraud by using the identities of unsuspecting or unqualified victims to obtain mortgage loans for the purchase of multiple properties. Chen and her co-defendants are accused of recruiting these victims in order to hide their own identities. These victims often spoke little or no English, were unemployed or had limited incomes, and had no intention of ever residing in or repaying any loan on properties in their names.
Between Jan. 13, 2005, and July 10, 2007, the defendants are accused of obtaining 47 fraudulent loans from 13 lenders on 35 properties in excess of $17.5 million through the use of the fraudulently obtained identities. These properties included 13 in Orange County, 16 in San Bernardino County, and six in Kern County. The defendants are being prosecuted in Orange County for all 35 properties.
The defendants are accused of using the fraudulently obtained personal and credit information of some of the fake buyers, including a 92-year-old woman, on several occasions without their knowledge or consent. Chen, Richard Gonzalez, and Daniel Gonzalez are accused of acquiring city business licenses using the stolen identities for nonexistent businesses in order to obtain higher income loans. They are accused of fabricating loan applications to reflect higher incomes for the fake buyers, forging the fake buyers' names and signatures on various deeds and loan documents, and forging seals and notary stamps on a variety of notarized documents and deeds. They are accused of fraudulently filing these fabricated and forged documents with the Orange County Clerk-Recorder's Department.
Acting as the escrow company, the defendants are accused of making some monthly payments on the loans to prevent suspicion by the lender. They are accused of then defaulting on the loan and keeping the remaining loan money.
This case was investigated by the Orange County District Attorney's Office. Deputy District Attorney Bill Overtoom of the Major Fraud Unit is prosecuting this case.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
America's Most Wanted Fugitive Convicted of Murder Faces 80 Years
Posted by CotoBlogzz 03-24-2010 04:30 PM
SANTA ANA, CA - Cuong Viet Nguyen, a former fugitive featured on "America's Most Wanted" was convicted today of murdering a man in 2005 by shooting him several times outside of a bar after attacking him with a belt. Cuong Viet Nguyen, 29, formerly of Garden Grove, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death. The defendant has a prior strike conviction from 1998 for robbery. Cuong faces a maximum sentence of 80 years to life in state prison at his sentencing May 7, 2010,
On June 26, 2005, Nguyen went with a group of friends to All Star Bar in Stanton and got into a fight inside the bar with another group of men, including victim Tri Van Bui. The bouncers instructed Bui's group to leave the bar.
Nguyen and an unknown friend waited outside of the bar for Bui. After the victim had finished speaking with a bouncer, the defendant and his friend chased and caught the victim, removed their belts and repeatedly hit him in the head using the buckle. When Bui was on the ground, Nguyen pulled out a firearm and murdered the victim by shooting him six times.
Nguyen fled the scene. A warrant was issued for his arrest in 2006. In the spring of 2008, the defendant was featured on the television program "America's Most Wanted." A tip received from a viewer who recognized Nguyen from the show led investigators to Phoenix, where Nguyen was located and arrested in June 2008. The defendant was brought back to Orange County from Arizona on June 18, 2008, to face charges.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Ebrahim Baytieh of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
SANTA ANA, CA - Cuong Viet Nguyen, a former fugitive featured on "America's Most Wanted" was convicted today of murdering a man in 2005 by shooting him several times outside of a bar after attacking him with a belt. Cuong Viet Nguyen, 29, formerly of Garden Grove, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death. The defendant has a prior strike conviction from 1998 for robbery. Cuong faces a maximum sentence of 80 years to life in state prison at his sentencing May 7, 2010,
On June 26, 2005, Nguyen went with a group of friends to All Star Bar in Stanton and got into a fight inside the bar with another group of men, including victim Tri Van Bui. The bouncers instructed Bui's group to leave the bar.
Nguyen and an unknown friend waited outside of the bar for Bui. After the victim had finished speaking with a bouncer, the defendant and his friend chased and caught the victim, removed their belts and repeatedly hit him in the head using the buckle. When Bui was on the ground, Nguyen pulled out a firearm and murdered the victim by shooting him six times.
Nguyen fled the scene. A warrant was issued for his arrest in 2006. In the spring of 2008, the defendant was featured on the television program "America's Most Wanted." A tip received from a viewer who recognized Nguyen from the show led investigators to Phoenix, where Nguyen was located and arrested in June 2008. The defendant was brought back to Orange County from Arizona on June 18, 2008, to face charges.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Ebrahim Baytieh of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
AG Arrests Six for 1,600+ Fraudulent Medi-Cal Claims
Posted By CotoBlogzz 03-24-2010 04:00 PM
Los Angeles-Attorney General announced yesterday the arrests of six former employees of New Beginnings Recovery Treatment Center Inc., a Los Angeles-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, who "stole tens of thousands of dollars" from Medi-Cal by billing the state for drug treatment sessions that were never performed. The maximum sentence for conviction on both felonies is three years in state prison. Bail has been set at $68,000 for Tatyana Yakovenko and at $40,000 for the other five defendants.
Between July 1, 2005 and May 30, 2009, New Beginnings owner Tatyana Yakovenko and her associates submitted 1,642 fraudulent claims totaling more than $68,000 to the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs (ADP.)
Under a contract established with the Los Angeles County Alcohol and Drug Programs Administration, New Beginnings provided alcohol and drug treatment services to Medi-Cal patients. Certified as a Substance Abuse Clinic in January 2002, New Beginnings operated four treatment centers in Los Angeles County.
In late 2008, the AG's office launched an investigation into allegations that New Beginnings was submitting false Medi-Cal claims to ADP.
The AG's investigation found that New Beginnings owner Tatyana Yakovenko and five members of the center's upper management required therapists and group counselors to "ghost write" counseling sessions that were never performed and forge group therapy sign-in sheets. The investigation uncovered that as many as half of the Medi-Cal claims filed by New Beginnings were fraudulent.
The investigation also revealed that several patients who were enrolled in the program did not have a drug problem, and many of their drug tests were fabricated to ensure continued and unnecessary treatment. New Beginnings employees enticed adult Medi-Cal beneficiaries to enroll in the organization's drug counseling program by offering cigarettes, food, and assistance with Section 8 housing qualification.
The majority of treatment and group notes were stored on computers, which made it easy to cut and paste and change the names of the clients. Counselors were instructed to occasionally create a "crisis," which meant a dirty drug test or a situation that warranted a client's continued drug treatment.
Additionally, investigators determined that some counselors were ordered to enter treatment records for 120 clients when only 40 clients were actually receiving treatment. The average client had four treatment group activities per month, but counselors were pushed to increase the documentation to 20 activities per month.
The six individuals arrested on charges of felony grand theft and filing false Medi-Cal claims include:
- Tatyana Yakovenko, 35, of Beverly Hills,
- Natalya Zvereva, 34, of Sherman Oaks,
- Carlos Villanueva, 38, of Pico Rivera,
- Aleksey Lisitsa, 27, of Los Angeles,
- Jodee A. Wallace, 41, of Granada Hills; and,
- Romalis Conway, 29, of Los Angeles
Los Angeles-Attorney General announced yesterday the arrests of six former employees of New Beginnings Recovery Treatment Center Inc., a Los Angeles-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, who "stole tens of thousands of dollars" from Medi-Cal by billing the state for drug treatment sessions that were never performed. The maximum sentence for conviction on both felonies is three years in state prison. Bail has been set at $68,000 for Tatyana Yakovenko and at $40,000 for the other five defendants.
Between July 1, 2005 and May 30, 2009, New Beginnings owner Tatyana Yakovenko and her associates submitted 1,642 fraudulent claims totaling more than $68,000 to the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs (ADP.)
Under a contract established with the Los Angeles County Alcohol and Drug Programs Administration, New Beginnings provided alcohol and drug treatment services to Medi-Cal patients. Certified as a Substance Abuse Clinic in January 2002, New Beginnings operated four treatment centers in Los Angeles County.
In late 2008, the AG's office launched an investigation into allegations that New Beginnings was submitting false Medi-Cal claims to ADP.
The AG's investigation found that New Beginnings owner Tatyana Yakovenko and five members of the center's upper management required therapists and group counselors to "ghost write" counseling sessions that were never performed and forge group therapy sign-in sheets. The investigation uncovered that as many as half of the Medi-Cal claims filed by New Beginnings were fraudulent.
The investigation also revealed that several patients who were enrolled in the program did not have a drug problem, and many of their drug tests were fabricated to ensure continued and unnecessary treatment. New Beginnings employees enticed adult Medi-Cal beneficiaries to enroll in the organization's drug counseling program by offering cigarettes, food, and assistance with Section 8 housing qualification.
The majority of treatment and group notes were stored on computers, which made it easy to cut and paste and change the names of the clients. Counselors were instructed to occasionally create a "crisis," which meant a dirty drug test or a situation that warranted a client's continued drug treatment.
Additionally, investigators determined that some counselors were ordered to enter treatment records for 120 clients when only 40 clients were actually receiving treatment. The average client had four treatment group activities per month, but counselors were pushed to increase the documentation to 20 activities per month.
The six individuals arrested on charges of felony grand theft and filing false Medi-Cal claims include:
- Tatyana Yakovenko, 35, of Beverly Hills,
- Natalya Zvereva, 34, of Sherman Oaks,
- Carlos Villanueva, 38, of Pico Rivera,
- Aleksey Lisitsa, 27, of Los Angeles,
- Jodee A. Wallace, 41, of Granada Hills; and,
- Romalis Conway, 29, of Los Angeles
Lake Forest Female Teacher Charged with unlawful behavior in Juvy Facility
Posted by CotoBlogzz 03-26-2010 03:00 PM
NEWPORT BEACH, CA - Dawn Marie Baloun, a female teacher at a juvenile correctional facility was charged yesterday with having an unlawful relationship with a 16-year-old housed at the facility by kissing and fondling him after meeting in classrooms and closets. Dawn Marie Baloun, 43, Lake Forest, is charged with one misdemeanor count of child annoyance and faces a maximum sentence of one year in jail if convicted. She is scheduled to be arraigned April 12, 2010
Between March and April 2009, while working as a teacher at the juvenile correctional facility Joplin Youth Center in Trabuco Canyon, Baloun is accused of having an unlawful intimate relationship with 16-year-old John Doe, a juvenile housed at the facility. The defendant is accused of meeting the victim alone in classrooms, the facility office, and in a towel closet.
In April 2009, John Doe was transferred to another facility in another state. Between April and December 2009, Baloun is accused of exchanging approximately 65 graphic l letters with John Doe discussing their conduct. In December 2009, a counselor at the facility where John Doe was housed discovered the letters and contacted the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
Deputy District Attorney Vanessa Woods is prosecuting this case.
NEWPORT BEACH, CA - Dawn Marie Baloun, a female teacher at a juvenile correctional facility was charged yesterday with having an unlawful relationship with a 16-year-old housed at the facility by kissing and fondling him after meeting in classrooms and closets. Dawn Marie Baloun, 43, Lake Forest, is charged with one misdemeanor count of child annoyance and faces a maximum sentence of one year in jail if convicted. She is scheduled to be arraigned April 12, 2010
Between March and April 2009, while working as a teacher at the juvenile correctional facility Joplin Youth Center in Trabuco Canyon, Baloun is accused of having an unlawful intimate relationship with 16-year-old John Doe, a juvenile housed at the facility. The defendant is accused of meeting the victim alone in classrooms, the facility office, and in a towel closet.
In April 2009, John Doe was transferred to another facility in another state. Between April and December 2009, Baloun is accused of exchanging approximately 65 graphic l letters with John Doe discussing their conduct. In December 2009, a counselor at the facility where John Doe was housed discovered the letters and contacted the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
Deputy District Attorney Vanessa Woods is prosecuting this case.
Brown to Appear on Dr. Phil Show - Refuses to join other Attorneys General
Posted by CotoBlogzz 03-24-2010 02:00 PM
Los Angeles, CA - Today, Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. will appear on the Dr. Phil show to discuss prescription drug abuse in America. Prescription drug abuse is a serious and growing problem. Brown's office has investigated and filed charges in more than 200 cases against both physicians who have abused their trust and patients who go from doctor to doctor in search of drugs.
According to a press release, the AG's office ".. launched an investigation into a massive San Diego-based prescription drug ring that supplied drugs to former actor Corey Haim. The investigation found that the ring operates by ordering prescription drug pads from authorized vendors using stolen doctor identities. The pads are then either sold on the street to prescription drug addicts or to individuals who are paid to fill the prescription and then sell the drugs on the underground market. The investigation has thus far linked more than 4,500 to 5,000 fraudulent prescriptions to the drug ring and has led to one arrest."
On a related story, Attorney General Edmund G. Brown has refused to join other Attorneys general challenging the constitutionality of the recently enacted Healh Care legislation calling the action divisive. No word on how a Govern Brown would implement the new health care legislation in an quasi-bankrupt state
Dr. Phil Guests for Wednesday, March 24, 2010
California Attorney General Jerry Brown
Dr. Phil Contributor Kelly Osbourne
The Insider Correspondent Chris Jacobs
Corey Haim's Agent Mark Heaslip
Addiction Specialist Dr. Harold Urschel
California Broadcast Schedule:
Los Angeles, CA
KCBS 2 @ 4pm
KCAL 9 @ 7pm
San Francisco, CA
KRON 4 @ 3pm & 8pm
Sacramento, CA
KMAX 31 @ 7pm
KOVR 13 @ 3pm
San Diego, CA
KFMB 8 @ 3pm
Fresno, CA
KSEE 24 @ 3pm
Santa Barbara, CA
KCOY 12 @ 3pm
KKFX 11 @ 9am
Salinas/Monterey, CA
KSBW 8 @ 3pm
Bakersfield, CA
KGET 17 @ 3pm
Chico/Redding, CA
KHSL 12 @ 1pm & 5pm
Palm Springs, CA
KPSP 2 @ 3pm
Eureka, CA
KIEM 3 @ 3pm
Los Angeles, CA - Today, Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. will appear on the Dr. Phil show to discuss prescription drug abuse in America. Prescription drug abuse is a serious and growing problem. Brown's office has investigated and filed charges in more than 200 cases against both physicians who have abused their trust and patients who go from doctor to doctor in search of drugs.
According to a press release, the AG's office ".. launched an investigation into a massive San Diego-based prescription drug ring that supplied drugs to former actor Corey Haim. The investigation found that the ring operates by ordering prescription drug pads from authorized vendors using stolen doctor identities. The pads are then either sold on the street to prescription drug addicts or to individuals who are paid to fill the prescription and then sell the drugs on the underground market. The investigation has thus far linked more than 4,500 to 5,000 fraudulent prescriptions to the drug ring and has led to one arrest."
On a related story, Attorney General Edmund G. Brown has refused to join other Attorneys general challenging the constitutionality of the recently enacted Healh Care legislation calling the action divisive. No word on how a Govern Brown would implement the new health care legislation in an quasi-bankrupt state
Dr. Phil Guests for Wednesday, March 24, 2010
California Attorney General Jerry Brown
Dr. Phil Contributor Kelly Osbourne
The Insider Correspondent Chris Jacobs
Corey Haim's Agent Mark Heaslip
Addiction Specialist Dr. Harold Urschel
California Broadcast Schedule:
Los Angeles, CA
KCBS 2 @ 4pm
KCAL 9 @ 7pm
San Francisco, CA
KRON 4 @ 3pm & 8pm
Sacramento, CA
KMAX 31 @ 7pm
KOVR 13 @ 3pm
San Diego, CA
KFMB 8 @ 3pm
Fresno, CA
KSEE 24 @ 3pm
Santa Barbara, CA
KCOY 12 @ 3pm
KKFX 11 @ 9am
Salinas/Monterey, CA
KSBW 8 @ 3pm
Bakersfield, CA
KGET 17 @ 3pm
Chico/Redding, CA
KHSL 12 @ 1pm & 5pm
Palm Springs, CA
KPSP 2 @ 3pm
Eureka, CA
KIEM 3 @ 3pm
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
UCI Graduate Convicted of Killing Mom Over Studies Dispute
Posted by CotoBlogzz 03-23-2010
SANTA ANA, CA -Richard Lam Nguyen, a pharmacy student was convicted today of strangling and killing his mother after becoming angry that she disapproved of his pharmacy studies and wanted him to become a physician. Son Richard Lam Nguyen, 31, Garden Grove, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of voluntary manslaughter and faces a maximum sentence of 11 years in state prison at his sentencing on May 21, 2010
The defendant is a graduate of the University of California, Irvine with a Bachelor of Science in biology. At the time of the crime, he was a first-year student at Ross University in Dominica, located in the Caribbean, studying to be a pharmacist.
Late on the night of Dec. 20, 2008, Son Nguyen was home with his 71-year-old mother, Nuong Nguyen, while on break from school. The defendant was living in a room that he shared with the victim in a Garden Grove home. The defendant became angry and started arguing with his mother because she wanted him to become a physician and did not support his desire to become a pharmacist.
While arguing with the victim, Son Nguyen became enraged and strangled his mother to death with his hands in the bedroom. He left her 5-foot tall, 80-pound body in the room and slept in his car. The following morning at approximately 12:20 p.m., Son Nguyen called the police to report that he had hurt his mother and she was dead.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Cameron Talley of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
SANTA ANA, CA -Richard Lam Nguyen, a pharmacy student was convicted today of strangling and killing his mother after becoming angry that she disapproved of his pharmacy studies and wanted him to become a physician. Son Richard Lam Nguyen, 31, Garden Grove, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of voluntary manslaughter and faces a maximum sentence of 11 years in state prison at his sentencing on May 21, 2010
The defendant is a graduate of the University of California, Irvine with a Bachelor of Science in biology. At the time of the crime, he was a first-year student at Ross University in Dominica, located in the Caribbean, studying to be a pharmacist.
Late on the night of Dec. 20, 2008, Son Nguyen was home with his 71-year-old mother, Nuong Nguyen, while on break from school. The defendant was living in a room that he shared with the victim in a Garden Grove home. The defendant became angry and started arguing with his mother because she wanted him to become a physician and did not support his desire to become a pharmacist.
While arguing with the victim, Son Nguyen became enraged and strangled his mother to death with his hands in the bedroom. He left her 5-foot tall, 80-pound body in the room and slept in his car. The following morning at approximately 12:20 p.m., Son Nguyen called the police to report that he had hurt his mother and she was dead.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Cameron Talley of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
OCSD Deputy Charged with DUI After Crash in Supervisor Campbell's front yard
Posted By CotoBlogzz 03-23-2010
SANTA ANA, CA - Mark Wayne Hewlett, adeputy with the Orange County Sheriff's Department has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol after losing control of his car and crashing into a planter in the front yard of a Villa Park home.
Hewlett, 30, Orange, is charged with one misdemeanor count each of driving under the influence of alcohol, driving with a blood alcohol level over .08 percent, and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of one year in jail. Hewlett is scheduled to be arraigned April 29, 2010.
Early in the morning on Dec. 13, 2009, Hewlett is accused of driving home from a friend's house while intoxicated after consuming several alcoholic beverages. At approximately 1:45 a.m., the defendant is accused of losing control of his vehicle in Villa Park, driving up over the curb and across the grass, and crashing into a planter in the front yard of a home. The residence is the home of Orange County Supervisor Bill Campbell.
When police arrived, Hewlett is accused of displaying objective signs of intoxication including emitting a strong odor of alcohol, having watery eyes, and a lack of balance. At approximately 3:30 a.m., an hour and 45 minutes after the crash, Hewlett is accused of having a blood alcohol level of .13 percent.
At the time of his arrest, Hewlett is accused of being in possession of a controlled substance, Xanax, for which he does not have a prescription.
Deputy District Attorney Brock Zimmon of the Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting this case.
SANTA ANA, CA - Mark Wayne Hewlett, adeputy with the Orange County Sheriff's Department has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol after losing control of his car and crashing into a planter in the front yard of a Villa Park home.
Hewlett, 30, Orange, is charged with one misdemeanor count each of driving under the influence of alcohol, driving with a blood alcohol level over .08 percent, and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of one year in jail. Hewlett is scheduled to be arraigned April 29, 2010.
Early in the morning on Dec. 13, 2009, Hewlett is accused of driving home from a friend's house while intoxicated after consuming several alcoholic beverages. At approximately 1:45 a.m., the defendant is accused of losing control of his vehicle in Villa Park, driving up over the curb and across the grass, and crashing into a planter in the front yard of a home. The residence is the home of Orange County Supervisor Bill Campbell.
When police arrived, Hewlett is accused of displaying objective signs of intoxication including emitting a strong odor of alcohol, having watery eyes, and a lack of balance. At approximately 3:30 a.m., an hour and 45 minutes after the crash, Hewlett is accused of having a blood alcohol level of .13 percent.
At the time of his arrest, Hewlett is accused of being in possession of a controlled substance, Xanax, for which he does not have a prescription.
Deputy District Attorney Brock Zimmon of the Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting this case.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Judging Judge Kelly on Deck Coddling In Child Molestation Sentence
Posted by CotoBlogzz 03-19-2010
SANTA ANA, CA - Judge Marc Kelly sentenced today Stephen Robert Deck, a now-retired Lieutenant for the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to one year in jail, five years of formal probation, and sex offender registration. The sentence was vigorously opposed by the Orange County District Attorney's Office (OCDA) and the recommendation of the Orange County Department of Probation (OCDP).
Deck, a CHP Lieutenant was sentenced for attempting to commit unlawful sexual acts with a fictitious 13-year-old girl, whom he believed was real, after meeting the girl online and engaging in explicit sexual conversations.
Deck, 55, Carlsbad, was found guilty by a jury Dec. 22, 2009, of one felony count of attempted lewd acts on a child under 14. The OCDA's office objected to the sentence, advocating for the maximum sentence allowed by law, four years in state prison. OCDP recommended state prison, finding that "with regard to the serious nature of the offense, it is believed the defendant could be a future threat to the community and is not viewed as a suitable candidate for probation, even if he were eligible."
"It sends the wrong message to the public when a high ranking police officer who tried to molest a 13-year-old girl gets coddled by the criminal justice system," stated Public Affairs Counsel Susan Kang Schroeder. "A child predator police officer should not get a break and a pass on state prison. His violation of trust makes his crime more serious not less."
Deputy District Attorney Robert Mestman argued today in court that this is an aggravated case, that the defendant should be denied probation and sentenced to the upper term. The defendant violated a position of trust and used his knowledge, experience, and training as a peace officer to assist in committing this crime and in avoiding detection. The defendant has not taken responsibility for his conduct and that it is clear from the other evidence recovered during the investigation, this case was not an isolated incident. He further argued that the defendant's crime involved planning and thought; it was not a spur of the moment mistake. The prosecutor also stated that it was abundantly clear that if the undercover decoy in this case was a real 13-year-old girl, Deck would have molested her. Deck, of all people, should have known the consequences of these actions, yet his sexual desires for a 13-year-old girl were too powerful to control. The prosecutor concluded that the defendant is a sexual predator who deserves to be imprisoned in state prison for the maximum term allowable under law.
Beginning Feb. 12, 2006, Deck initiated contact and engaged in sexually explicit conversations over the Internet with a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl. The defendant was actually communicating with an adult citizen volunteer from Perverted-Justice.com, a non-profit organization aimed at protecting children from Internet sexual predators. Over several days, Deck had numerous online and phone conversations with a woman who told him she was a 13-year-old girl. He inquired if the girl liked older men, made graphic sexual statements and sexually suggestive comments about eating pie, and arranged to meet the "victim" in Laguna Beach.
On Feb. 18, 2006, Deck drove from San Diego County to Laguna Beach with the intention of committing unlawful sexual acts with the fake 13-year-old. When Deck arrived at the pre-arranged location, he was in possession of a digital camera and key lime pie and several condoms were located in his car. Deck was arrested upon attempting to make contact with the fictitious 13-year-old girl. Soon after his arrest, he said there would be "intent issues" with his case and that it would be tough to convict a law enforcement officer in Orange County. This statement was excluded by the judge and did not come into the trial.
During the trial, the OCDA presentenced evidence that Deck had engaged in graphic, sexually explicit online conversations with two additional young girls, both of whom identified themselves as 13 years old. The defendant discussed wanting to meet each of the children and had a conversation with one of them suggesting that she sexually touch her 10-year-old sister. During sentencing, Deck only expressed remorse after he was convicted by a jury, crying and asking for probation while awaiting sentencing.
Deck, along with 12 other men, was arrested as a result of a law enforcement sting targeting Internet sexual predators in February 2006. The sting was conducted by the Laguna Beach Police Department, Orange County Department of Probation, and Orange County District Attorney's Office, with help from Perverted-Justice.com. The status of the other 12 defendants is as follows. The occupation and city of residence for each defendant is based on their status at the time of arrest.
A warrant was issued in July 2006 for Norindra Say, 38, Tustin, engineer, who fled after making several court appearances. Say is featured as one of the 10 Most Wanted fugitives on the Orange County District Attorney's website at www.orangecountyda.com.
Robert Carlos Alarcia, 33, Los Angeles, was found guilty by a jury and sentenced to 180 days in jail and sex offender registration. Deep Arora, 23, Placentia, unemployed, was found guilty by a jury and sentenced to one year in jail and sex offender registration.
Shih-Hung Chuang, 35, Hacienda Heights, importer, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 180 days in jail and sex offender registration. Nery Roberto Folgar, 33, Alta Dena, salesperson, Benjamin Paul McAlister, 25, Loomis, student, Ryan Arnell Mount, 33, North Hollywood, unemployed, and John Inkyoo Yi, 47, Anaheim, laborer, pleaded guilty and were sentenced to one year in jail and sex offender registration. David Phuong Pham, 34, Los Angeles, unemployed, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months in prison and sex offender registration. Jonathan Augustine Reese, 44, Westchester, supervisor at Starbucks, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 240 days in jail and sex offender registration. Benjamin Alan Taul, 31, Placentia, bartender, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one year in jail. Jimmy Miguel Varela, 36, Norwalk, unemployed, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months in state prison.
Deputy District Attorney Robert Mestman of the Sexual Assault Unit prosecuted this case.
SANTA ANA, CA - Judge Marc Kelly sentenced today Stephen Robert Deck, a now-retired Lieutenant for the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to one year in jail, five years of formal probation, and sex offender registration. The sentence was vigorously opposed by the Orange County District Attorney's Office (OCDA) and the recommendation of the Orange County Department of Probation (OCDP).
Deck, a CHP Lieutenant was sentenced for attempting to commit unlawful sexual acts with a fictitious 13-year-old girl, whom he believed was real, after meeting the girl online and engaging in explicit sexual conversations.
Deck, 55, Carlsbad, was found guilty by a jury Dec. 22, 2009, of one felony count of attempted lewd acts on a child under 14. The OCDA's office objected to the sentence, advocating for the maximum sentence allowed by law, four years in state prison. OCDP recommended state prison, finding that "with regard to the serious nature of the offense, it is believed the defendant could be a future threat to the community and is not viewed as a suitable candidate for probation, even if he were eligible."
"It sends the wrong message to the public when a high ranking police officer who tried to molest a 13-year-old girl gets coddled by the criminal justice system," stated Public Affairs Counsel Susan Kang Schroeder. "A child predator police officer should not get a break and a pass on state prison. His violation of trust makes his crime more serious not less."
Deputy District Attorney Robert Mestman argued today in court that this is an aggravated case, that the defendant should be denied probation and sentenced to the upper term. The defendant violated a position of trust and used his knowledge, experience, and training as a peace officer to assist in committing this crime and in avoiding detection. The defendant has not taken responsibility for his conduct and that it is clear from the other evidence recovered during the investigation, this case was not an isolated incident. He further argued that the defendant's crime involved planning and thought; it was not a spur of the moment mistake. The prosecutor also stated that it was abundantly clear that if the undercover decoy in this case was a real 13-year-old girl, Deck would have molested her. Deck, of all people, should have known the consequences of these actions, yet his sexual desires for a 13-year-old girl were too powerful to control. The prosecutor concluded that the defendant is a sexual predator who deserves to be imprisoned in state prison for the maximum term allowable under law.
Beginning Feb. 12, 2006, Deck initiated contact and engaged in sexually explicit conversations over the Internet with a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl. The defendant was actually communicating with an adult citizen volunteer from Perverted-Justice.com, a non-profit organization aimed at protecting children from Internet sexual predators. Over several days, Deck had numerous online and phone conversations with a woman who told him she was a 13-year-old girl. He inquired if the girl liked older men, made graphic sexual statements and sexually suggestive comments about eating pie, and arranged to meet the "victim" in Laguna Beach.
On Feb. 18, 2006, Deck drove from San Diego County to Laguna Beach with the intention of committing unlawful sexual acts with the fake 13-year-old. When Deck arrived at the pre-arranged location, he was in possession of a digital camera and key lime pie and several condoms were located in his car. Deck was arrested upon attempting to make contact with the fictitious 13-year-old girl. Soon after his arrest, he said there would be "intent issues" with his case and that it would be tough to convict a law enforcement officer in Orange County. This statement was excluded by the judge and did not come into the trial.
During the trial, the OCDA presentenced evidence that Deck had engaged in graphic, sexually explicit online conversations with two additional young girls, both of whom identified themselves as 13 years old. The defendant discussed wanting to meet each of the children and had a conversation with one of them suggesting that she sexually touch her 10-year-old sister. During sentencing, Deck only expressed remorse after he was convicted by a jury, crying and asking for probation while awaiting sentencing.
Deck, along with 12 other men, was arrested as a result of a law enforcement sting targeting Internet sexual predators in February 2006. The sting was conducted by the Laguna Beach Police Department, Orange County Department of Probation, and Orange County District Attorney's Office, with help from Perverted-Justice.com. The status of the other 12 defendants is as follows. The occupation and city of residence for each defendant is based on their status at the time of arrest.
A warrant was issued in July 2006 for Norindra Say, 38, Tustin, engineer, who fled after making several court appearances. Say is featured as one of the 10 Most Wanted fugitives on the Orange County District Attorney's website at www.orangecountyda.com.
Robert Carlos Alarcia, 33, Los Angeles, was found guilty by a jury and sentenced to 180 days in jail and sex offender registration. Deep Arora, 23, Placentia, unemployed, was found guilty by a jury and sentenced to one year in jail and sex offender registration.
Shih-Hung Chuang, 35, Hacienda Heights, importer, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 180 days in jail and sex offender registration. Nery Roberto Folgar, 33, Alta Dena, salesperson, Benjamin Paul McAlister, 25, Loomis, student, Ryan Arnell Mount, 33, North Hollywood, unemployed, and John Inkyoo Yi, 47, Anaheim, laborer, pleaded guilty and were sentenced to one year in jail and sex offender registration. David Phuong Pham, 34, Los Angeles, unemployed, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months in prison and sex offender registration. Jonathan Augustine Reese, 44, Westchester, supervisor at Starbucks, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 240 days in jail and sex offender registration. Benjamin Alan Taul, 31, Placentia, bartender, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one year in jail. Jimmy Miguel Varela, 36, Norwalk, unemployed, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months in state prison.
Deputy District Attorney Robert Mestman of the Sexual Assault Unit prosecuted this case.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
AG Jerry Brown Announces Judgement Against Pro's Choice
Posted by CotoBlogzz 03-16-2010 11:30 AM
Oakland, CA - -Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced a court judgment against Pro's Choice Beauty Care, Inc., a New York-based hair care product distributor, blocking the company from selling "pollution-causing" products that also exacerbate respiratory illnesses.
The judgment also requires the retailers Rite Aid, Long's Drug Stores, CVS Pharmacy, Walgreen Company, Ralphs Grocery Company, Kmart and Target to remove these products at all California stores.
"Pro's Choice sold thousands of containers of pollution-causing hair products to consumers who unknowingly exposed themselves and the environment to harmful pollutants," Brown said. "Today's agreement will remove products from store shelves that pollute our air and exacerbate respiratory diseases such as asthma."
Pro's Choice, the largest distributor of professional hair care and nail products in the country, buys U.S. brand-name products overseas and re-imports the products to sell them below suggested retail value. The products are then redistributed to pharmacies, grocery chains, and wholesale clubs throughout the country.
In late 2006, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and several district attorneys notified Brown's office that many products supplied by Pro's Choice contained air contaminants well above the state's limits on volatile organic compounds (VOCs.) Despite numerous tests and repeated violations and requests for compliance, Pro's Choice continued to sell these products to retailers.
Brown's office filed a lawsuit against the company in 2008. The company was charged with violating California's Health and Safety Code 4200 et seq., which protects air quality and prevents companies from intentionally discharging pollutants into the air.
Some of the non-compliant products Pro's Choice resold to retailers include:
- Big Sexy Hair Dense at a Target in Modesto, CA;
- Redken Fabricate at a RiteAid in Modesto, CA;
- Sebastian Threads Microber Cream at a K-Mart in Lodi, CA;
- Sebastian Shaper Plus at Ralphs in Sacramento, CA;
- John Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine Super Spray Firm Hold at Longs in Stockton, CA; and,
- Short Sexy Hair Hard Up Gel at Rite Aid in Torrance, CA.
Today's judgment requires Pro's Choice to:
- Stop selling or distributing products that violate the limits of VOCs;
- Pull all of the products found in violation;
- Identify and sort products that are non-compliant before distributing them for sale in California;
- Obtain written verification from the manufacturer that the product is compliant or test representative samples from the batch; and,
- Pay $1.25 million in penalties and costs.
Oakland, CA - -Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced a court judgment against Pro's Choice Beauty Care, Inc., a New York-based hair care product distributor, blocking the company from selling "pollution-causing" products that also exacerbate respiratory illnesses.
The judgment also requires the retailers Rite Aid, Long's Drug Stores, CVS Pharmacy, Walgreen Company, Ralphs Grocery Company, Kmart and Target to remove these products at all California stores.
"Pro's Choice sold thousands of containers of pollution-causing hair products to consumers who unknowingly exposed themselves and the environment to harmful pollutants," Brown said. "Today's agreement will remove products from store shelves that pollute our air and exacerbate respiratory diseases such as asthma."
Pro's Choice, the largest distributor of professional hair care and nail products in the country, buys U.S. brand-name products overseas and re-imports the products to sell them below suggested retail value. The products are then redistributed to pharmacies, grocery chains, and wholesale clubs throughout the country.
In late 2006, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and several district attorneys notified Brown's office that many products supplied by Pro's Choice contained air contaminants well above the state's limits on volatile organic compounds (VOCs.) Despite numerous tests and repeated violations and requests for compliance, Pro's Choice continued to sell these products to retailers.
Brown's office filed a lawsuit against the company in 2008. The company was charged with violating California's Health and Safety Code 4200 et seq., which protects air quality and prevents companies from intentionally discharging pollutants into the air.
Some of the non-compliant products Pro's Choice resold to retailers include:
- Big Sexy Hair Dense at a Target in Modesto, CA;
- Redken Fabricate at a RiteAid in Modesto, CA;
- Sebastian Threads Microber Cream at a K-Mart in Lodi, CA;
- Sebastian Shaper Plus at Ralphs in Sacramento, CA;
- John Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine Super Spray Firm Hold at Longs in Stockton, CA; and,
- Short Sexy Hair Hard Up Gel at Rite Aid in Torrance, CA.
Today's judgment requires Pro's Choice to:
- Stop selling or distributing products that violate the limits of VOCs;
- Pull all of the products found in violation;
- Identify and sort products that are non-compliant before distributing them for sale in California;
- Obtain written verification from the manufacturer that the product is compliant or test representative samples from the batch; and,
- Pay $1.25 million in penalties and costs.
Ladera Ranch's Secretary Convicted of Dipping into Church's Offering Plate
Posted By CotoBlogzz 03-16-2010 11:00 AM
NEWPORT BEACH, CA - Crystina Renee Bock, a former financial secretary for the Compass Bible Church (CBC) in Aliso Viejo was convicted today of stealing over $200,000 from the weekly offerings made by congregants to the church.
Bock, 38, Ladera Ranch, pleaded guilty to 62 felony counts of grand theft with sentencing enhancement and allegations for aggravated white collar crime exceeding $100,000 and losses over $100,000. Bock is scheduled to be sentenced to five years in state prison and ordered to pay over $200,000 in restitution on May 7, 2010
Beginning June 1, 2005, Bock worked part-time as CBC's financial secretary and assisted with accounting for offerings and payments made to CBC by congregants. Bock prepared the church's deposits each week, updated the electronic financial records, and sent contribution statements to the congregants documenting their donations for tax purposes.
Between June 2005 and September 2008, Bock took over 440 congregants' donation checks and deposited them into her personal account. Bock wrote her personal account number on the back of CBC checks before making the deposits and altered the church's financial records to make the contribution statements reflect the congregants' contributions for that year.
In September 2008, the church's financial supervisors contacted the Orange County Sheriff's Department after learning that a $1,000 donation check had been cashed but was not deposited into the CBC account, as recorded by Bock.
Deputy District Attorney Marc Labreche of the Major Fraud Unit is prosecuting this case.
NEWPORT BEACH, CA - Crystina Renee Bock, a former financial secretary for the Compass Bible Church (CBC) in Aliso Viejo was convicted today of stealing over $200,000 from the weekly offerings made by congregants to the church.
Bock, 38, Ladera Ranch, pleaded guilty to 62 felony counts of grand theft with sentencing enhancement and allegations for aggravated white collar crime exceeding $100,000 and losses over $100,000. Bock is scheduled to be sentenced to five years in state prison and ordered to pay over $200,000 in restitution on May 7, 2010
Beginning June 1, 2005, Bock worked part-time as CBC's financial secretary and assisted with accounting for offerings and payments made to CBC by congregants. Bock prepared the church's deposits each week, updated the electronic financial records, and sent contribution statements to the congregants documenting their donations for tax purposes.
Between June 2005 and September 2008, Bock took over 440 congregants' donation checks and deposited them into her personal account. Bock wrote her personal account number on the back of CBC checks before making the deposits and altered the church's financial records to make the contribution statements reflect the congregants' contributions for that year.
In September 2008, the church's financial supervisors contacted the Orange County Sheriff's Department after learning that a $1,000 donation check had been cashed but was not deposited into the CBC account, as recorded by Bock.
Deputy District Attorney Marc Labreche of the Major Fraud Unit is prosecuting this case.
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
All in the Family - $16M in Real Estate Fraud.
Posted by CotoBlogzz 03-09-2010
SANTA ANA, CA - Sushama Devi Lohia and her daughter Supriti Soni are scheduled to appear in court tomorrow to face charges of conspiracy to commit over $16 million in real estate fraud by forging documents and purchasing homes using "straw buyers." The daughter's husband and sister are also charged in this case. A straw buyer is a person who knowingly and willingly allows their credit to be used for the purchase of a property they never intend to control. The four defendants are accused of working together to secure loans for "straw buyers" using forged and false documents.
Sushama Devi Lohia, 71, Newport Beach faces 13 felony counts of conspiracy to commit a crime, 19 felony counts of forgery, six felony counts of identity theft, four felony counts of recording false and forged instrument, one felony count of grand theft, and sentencing enhancement allegations for loss over $100,000, property damage over $3.2 million, and aggravated white collar crime over $500,000 Bail has been set at $5 million
and faces: 40 years in state prison
Supriti Soni, 49, Corona Del Mar, faces eight felony counts of conspiracy to commit a crime, 10 felony counts of forgery, one felony count of identity theft, one felony count of recording false and forged instrument, one felony count of grand theft, sentencing enhancement allegations for loss over $100,000, property damage over $3.2 million, and aggravated white collar crime over $500,000, and 2003 prison prior sentencing enhancement for perjury. Bail as also been set at $5 million facing 26 years and four months in state prison
Suniti Shah, 48, Newport Beach faces five felony counts of conspiracy to commit a crime, nine felony counts of forgery, six felony counts of identity theft, four felony counts of recording false and forged instrument, one felony count of grand theft, and sentencing enhancement allegations for loss over $100,000, property damage over $3.2 million, and aggravated white collar crime over $500,000
Sha is Lohia's daugther. Bail has been set at $5 million with a maximum sentence of 28 years in state prison
Dinesh Valjeebhai Shah, 60, Newport Beach faces two felony counts of conspiracy to commit a crime, four felony counts of forgery, six felony counts of identity theft, four felony counts of recording false and forged instrument, one felony count of grand theft, and sentencing enhancement allegations for loss over $100,000, property damage over $3.2 million, and aggravated white collar crime over $500,000 Sha is Suniti Shah's husband
Dinesh Shah and his wife, Suniti Shah, are accused of owning and operating New Age Realty, First Property Escrow, City First Realty, and Associates Investments Group. All these businesses were located at 13821 Newport Avenue, Tustin. Soni is accused of owning and operating Vason Development out of 1520 Warner Avenue, Santa Ana, a business that processed home loan applications. Lohia, a licensed real estate agent, is accused of working out of both offices. The four defendants are accused of using these offices to process fraudulent loans.
Between April 2006 and March 2008, Lohia, Soni, Suniti Shah and Dinesh Shah are accused of conspiring to commit grand theft by recruiting straw buyers through friends and family, as well as their personal employees.
Between June 2006 and October 2009, Lohia, Soni, Suniti Shah and Dinesh Shah are accused of obtaining 54 fraudulent loans on 29 real estate properties in Orange County through the use of straw buyers' credit. The four defendants are accused of fabricating loan applications to reflect significantly higher incomes for the straw buyers, supplying altered bank statements to reflect the higher incomes, falsifying employer information on loan documents, and forging the names and signatures of straw buyers on various deeds and loan documents. They are accused of using the personal and credit information of the straw buyers to complete the fraudulent documents used in obtaining loans. The four defendants are accused of taking out fraudulent loans under their own names. The 54 loans were all approved by then-Washington Mutual Bank.
On Nov. 7, 2006, Lohia and Soni are accused of signing over a property at 1805 Park Glen Circle, Santa Ana, to straw buyer J. Barboza.
Between June 2006 and October 2009, Lohia and Soni are accused of creating purchase agreements for straw buyers to purchase 16 Santa Ana properties at 2040 Oak Street, 1609 West Raymar Street, 25 La Cueva, 1405 Orange Avenue, 2234 Parton Street, 323 East Chestnut, 1418 Raymar Street, 517 South Garnsey, 1433 Garnsey, 1428 South Parton Street, 2273 Miner Street, 1602 South Orange Avenue, 810 Birch Street, 2133 West Civic Center, 919 West Camile, 1135 Baker Street, and one Huntington Beach property at 711 Owen Street.
Lohia is accused of creating a purchase agreement for 217 South Franklin, Santa Ana. Lohia and Suniti Shah are accused of creating purchase agreements for straw buyers to purchase two Santa Ana properties at 724 Oak Street and 1137 South Flower. Lohia, Dinesh and Suniti Shah are accused of creating purchase agreements for straw buyers to purchase three Santa Ana properties at 2214 Maple Street, 219 South Franklin, and 1019 West Myrtle.
Between March 31, 2008 and May 15, 2008, Lohia, Dinesh and Suniti Shah are accused of using victim Nisha A.'s identity to fraudulently transfer to other straw buyers four properties at 12222 Orangewood, Anaheim; 1619 West 12th Street, Santa Ana; 25472 Maximus Street, Mission Viejo; and 2203 Orange Avenue, Santa Ana. Between July 2008 and May 2009, Lohia, Dinesh and Suniti Shah are accused of filing false and forged documents with the Orange County Clerk-Recorder's Office to falsely show the four property transfers, and a grant deed for 918 Garnsey, Santa Ana.
An investigation by the Orange County District Attorney's Office led to the arrest of Lohia, Soni, and Suniti Shah. An arrest warrant has been issued for Dinesh Shah, who is believed to be in India.
SANTA ANA, CA - Sushama Devi Lohia and her daughter Supriti Soni are scheduled to appear in court tomorrow to face charges of conspiracy to commit over $16 million in real estate fraud by forging documents and purchasing homes using "straw buyers." The daughter's husband and sister are also charged in this case. A straw buyer is a person who knowingly and willingly allows their credit to be used for the purchase of a property they never intend to control. The four defendants are accused of working together to secure loans for "straw buyers" using forged and false documents.
Sushama Devi Lohia, 71, Newport Beach faces 13 felony counts of conspiracy to commit a crime, 19 felony counts of forgery, six felony counts of identity theft, four felony counts of recording false and forged instrument, one felony count of grand theft, and sentencing enhancement allegations for loss over $100,000, property damage over $3.2 million, and aggravated white collar crime over $500,000 Bail has been set at $5 million
and faces: 40 years in state prison
Supriti Soni, 49, Corona Del Mar, faces eight felony counts of conspiracy to commit a crime, 10 felony counts of forgery, one felony count of identity theft, one felony count of recording false and forged instrument, one felony count of grand theft, sentencing enhancement allegations for loss over $100,000, property damage over $3.2 million, and aggravated white collar crime over $500,000, and 2003 prison prior sentencing enhancement for perjury. Bail as also been set at $5 million facing 26 years and four months in state prison
Suniti Shah, 48, Newport Beach faces five felony counts of conspiracy to commit a crime, nine felony counts of forgery, six felony counts of identity theft, four felony counts of recording false and forged instrument, one felony count of grand theft, and sentencing enhancement allegations for loss over $100,000, property damage over $3.2 million, and aggravated white collar crime over $500,000
Sha is Lohia's daugther. Bail has been set at $5 million with a maximum sentence of 28 years in state prison
Dinesh Valjeebhai Shah, 60, Newport Beach faces two felony counts of conspiracy to commit a crime, four felony counts of forgery, six felony counts of identity theft, four felony counts of recording false and forged instrument, one felony count of grand theft, and sentencing enhancement allegations for loss over $100,000, property damage over $3.2 million, and aggravated white collar crime over $500,000 Sha is Suniti Shah's husband
Dinesh Shah and his wife, Suniti Shah, are accused of owning and operating New Age Realty, First Property Escrow, City First Realty, and Associates Investments Group. All these businesses were located at 13821 Newport Avenue, Tustin. Soni is accused of owning and operating Vason Development out of 1520 Warner Avenue, Santa Ana, a business that processed home loan applications. Lohia, a licensed real estate agent, is accused of working out of both offices. The four defendants are accused of using these offices to process fraudulent loans.
Between April 2006 and March 2008, Lohia, Soni, Suniti Shah and Dinesh Shah are accused of conspiring to commit grand theft by recruiting straw buyers through friends and family, as well as their personal employees.
Between June 2006 and October 2009, Lohia, Soni, Suniti Shah and Dinesh Shah are accused of obtaining 54 fraudulent loans on 29 real estate properties in Orange County through the use of straw buyers' credit. The four defendants are accused of fabricating loan applications to reflect significantly higher incomes for the straw buyers, supplying altered bank statements to reflect the higher incomes, falsifying employer information on loan documents, and forging the names and signatures of straw buyers on various deeds and loan documents. They are accused of using the personal and credit information of the straw buyers to complete the fraudulent documents used in obtaining loans. The four defendants are accused of taking out fraudulent loans under their own names. The 54 loans were all approved by then-Washington Mutual Bank.
On Nov. 7, 2006, Lohia and Soni are accused of signing over a property at 1805 Park Glen Circle, Santa Ana, to straw buyer J. Barboza.
Between June 2006 and October 2009, Lohia and Soni are accused of creating purchase agreements for straw buyers to purchase 16 Santa Ana properties at 2040 Oak Street, 1609 West Raymar Street, 25 La Cueva, 1405 Orange Avenue, 2234 Parton Street, 323 East Chestnut, 1418 Raymar Street, 517 South Garnsey, 1433 Garnsey, 1428 South Parton Street, 2273 Miner Street, 1602 South Orange Avenue, 810 Birch Street, 2133 West Civic Center, 919 West Camile, 1135 Baker Street, and one Huntington Beach property at 711 Owen Street.
Lohia is accused of creating a purchase agreement for 217 South Franklin, Santa Ana. Lohia and Suniti Shah are accused of creating purchase agreements for straw buyers to purchase two Santa Ana properties at 724 Oak Street and 1137 South Flower. Lohia, Dinesh and Suniti Shah are accused of creating purchase agreements for straw buyers to purchase three Santa Ana properties at 2214 Maple Street, 219 South Franklin, and 1019 West Myrtle.
Between March 31, 2008 and May 15, 2008, Lohia, Dinesh and Suniti Shah are accused of using victim Nisha A.'s identity to fraudulently transfer to other straw buyers four properties at 12222 Orangewood, Anaheim; 1619 West 12th Street, Santa Ana; 25472 Maximus Street, Mission Viejo; and 2203 Orange Avenue, Santa Ana. Between July 2008 and May 2009, Lohia, Dinesh and Suniti Shah are accused of filing false and forged documents with the Orange County Clerk-Recorder's Office to falsely show the four property transfers, and a grant deed for 918 Garnsey, Santa Ana.
An investigation by the Orange County District Attorney's Office led to the arrest of Lohia, Soni, and Suniti Shah. An arrest warrant has been issued for Dinesh Shah, who is believed to be in India.
Monday, March 08, 2010
Triple-Threat Locker
Posted By CotoBlogzz 03-08-2010
Joe the Taxpayer is under siege, whether he knows it or not.
"No one has vested more hope in the Tea Party movement than the Democrats. For all the scorn and abuse they've heaped on the tea-partiers, they've counted on them for salvation. The tea-partiers would push the GOP out of the mainstream. They would tar the party with their bumptious extremism. They would stoke a Republican civil war. The tea-partiers would, in short, redeem the Obama administration's political fortunes no matter what," writes Rich Lowery on a piece published by the Sun Coast News, published February 17, 2010
Then, there is what we refer to as the US Economic Triple Constraint, which consists of Card Check, Health Care and Cap & Trade. The notion is that without the Triple Constraint, the US is down to sixth place in the Heritage Foundation Index of Economic Freedom, with it, a precipitous drop is envisioned.
We have tried to reach California lawmakers to get their views on California's Triple-Threat: Public sector organized labor, parasitic bureaucracies and lobbyists. So far, mum is the word.
Last but not least is the common interest development (CID) Triple Constraint: The property management company, legal council and monthly dues. Loal governance in most, if not all cases will simply let legal council and the property management company run amock, while Joe the Taxpayer blindly keeps paying his monthly dues, lest he gets deserving of a stupid lawyer letter.
What about it Joe?
Joe the Taxpayer is under siege, whether he knows it or not.
"No one has vested more hope in the Tea Party movement than the Democrats. For all the scorn and abuse they've heaped on the tea-partiers, they've counted on them for salvation. The tea-partiers would push the GOP out of the mainstream. They would tar the party with their bumptious extremism. They would stoke a Republican civil war. The tea-partiers would, in short, redeem the Obama administration's political fortunes no matter what," writes Rich Lowery on a piece published by the Sun Coast News, published February 17, 2010
Then, there is what we refer to as the US Economic Triple Constraint, which consists of Card Check, Health Care and Cap & Trade. The notion is that without the Triple Constraint, the US is down to sixth place in the Heritage Foundation Index of Economic Freedom, with it, a precipitous drop is envisioned.
We have tried to reach California lawmakers to get their views on California's Triple-Threat: Public sector organized labor, parasitic bureaucracies and lobbyists. So far, mum is the word.
Last but not least is the common interest development (CID) Triple Constraint: The property management company, legal council and monthly dues. Loal governance in most, if not all cases will simply let legal council and the property management company run amock, while Joe the Taxpayer blindly keeps paying his monthly dues, lest he gets deserving of a stupid lawyer letter.
What about it Joe?
Brown Recovers $209M in Medi-Cal Fraud - Mum on Jessica's Law
Posted by CotoBlogzz 03-08-2010
Sacramento, CA -Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced today that last year, his office recovered more than $209 million in "hard-earned taxpayer dollars" and secured 139 criminal convictions by aggressively investigating and prosecuting Medi-Cal fraud cases. On the other hand, the AG's office has been mum on the tragic death of Chelsea King. Critics like Governor Huckabee blame California's Department of Mental Health and the AG's office for the release of John Albert Gardner III, 30, a registered sex offended, and now the individual accused in Chelsea's death.
The author of California’s Jessica’s Law, Sen. George Runner (R-Antelope Valley) weighed in saying that "What the voters understood is that, by passing Jessica’s Law in 2006, they would empower district attorneys to put dangerous, violent rapists away for longer periods of time – including the civil confinement of sexually violent predators." but adds that “Unfortunately, because Jessica’s Law was not in place when Gardner was sentenced for lude and lascivious behavior and false imprisonment of a minor in 2000, he was not eligible for additional confinement in a state mental hospital but instead released to the streets after serving a mere five years in prison.”
AG Brown did report that in 2009, his Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse returned more than $12 million to victims of elder abuse and secured 47 criminal convictions in elder abuse cases.
Combined, Brown recovered more than $221 million in Medi-Cal fraud and elder abuse cases.According the the AG's office, the amount recovered last year is more than six times the BMFEA's $33.1 million operating budget. This represents a recovery of $36 for every $1 expended from the state's general funds.
The recoveries stem from restitution obtained in Medi-Cal fraud, elder abuse, and patient fund cases. Patient fund cases occur when a disabled person's finances are being controlled by a trustee who steals from the patient's trust account.
Sacramento, CA -Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced today that last year, his office recovered more than $209 million in "hard-earned taxpayer dollars" and secured 139 criminal convictions by aggressively investigating and prosecuting Medi-Cal fraud cases. On the other hand, the AG's office has been mum on the tragic death of Chelsea King. Critics like Governor Huckabee blame California's Department of Mental Health and the AG's office for the release of John Albert Gardner III, 30, a registered sex offended, and now the individual accused in Chelsea's death.
The author of California’s Jessica’s Law, Sen. George Runner (R-Antelope Valley) weighed in saying that "What the voters understood is that, by passing Jessica’s Law in 2006, they would empower district attorneys to put dangerous, violent rapists away for longer periods of time – including the civil confinement of sexually violent predators." but adds that “Unfortunately, because Jessica’s Law was not in place when Gardner was sentenced for lude and lascivious behavior and false imprisonment of a minor in 2000, he was not eligible for additional confinement in a state mental hospital but instead released to the streets after serving a mere five years in prison.”
AG Brown did report that in 2009, his Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse returned more than $12 million to victims of elder abuse and secured 47 criminal convictions in elder abuse cases.
Combined, Brown recovered more than $221 million in Medi-Cal fraud and elder abuse cases.According the the AG's office, the amount recovered last year is more than six times the BMFEA's $33.1 million operating budget. This represents a recovery of $36 for every $1 expended from the state's general funds.
The recoveries stem from restitution obtained in Medi-Cal fraud, elder abuse, and patient fund cases. Patient fund cases occur when a disabled person's finances are being controlled by a trustee who steals from the patient's trust account.
Composers Concert at Saddleback College
Posted by CotoBlogzz 03-08-2010
Mission Viejo , CA – Saddleback and Irvine Valley College faculty members are scheduled to perform a concert of original compositions on Thursday, March 25th at 8pm in the McKinney Theatre. Pieces include a world premiere of a set of songs for trombone and soprano by Jazz Studies Saddleback faculty member Joey Sellers. Another world premiere of a string quartet composed by Saddleback College Music faculty member Norman Weston will be performed. Other original works are featured by Saddleback faculty Scott Farthing, John Marr and Randy Rusk as well as works by Daniel Luzko from Irvine Valley College .
Tickets are $10 general; $7 students/seniors and can be purchased by calling the ticket office at 949-582-4656 (Tuesday-Friday, noon-4:00 pm) or online at www.saddleback.edu/arts.
The Music Department has established a comprehensive program which is considered to be one of the finest in California : a complete lower-division curriculum for transferring music majors, numerous performance groups, private and group lessons, a full concert series with faculty and guest artists, and general music courses. The nationally recognized faculty is dedicated to performance and to teaching in all areas such as vocal, instrumental, jazz, guitar and piano. Other music classes include harmony, musicianship, composition, history and appreciation of western art music, rock, jazz and world.
Saddleback College is located at 28000 Marguerite Pkwy in Mission Viejo , just east of Interstate 5 at the Avery Parkway exit. Parking is available in Lot 12. Take Avery Parkway to Marguerite Parkway turn left to the third traffic light, which is Saddleback’s Marguerite entrance. Turn right into the campus and take the second left to “ Theatre Circle ,” turning right into Lot 12.
Located in Mission Viejo, Saddleback College provides quality higher education and training to the greater south Orange County community. Having served more than 500,000 students since 1968, Saddleback College offers more than 300 degree and certificate programs to help students reach their personal, career, and educational goals. For more information, please visit www.saddleback.edu. For Fine Arts events, visit www.saddleback.edu/arts.
Mission Viejo , CA – Saddleback and Irvine Valley College faculty members are scheduled to perform a concert of original compositions on Thursday, March 25th at 8pm in the McKinney Theatre. Pieces include a world premiere of a set of songs for trombone and soprano by Jazz Studies Saddleback faculty member Joey Sellers. Another world premiere of a string quartet composed by Saddleback College Music faculty member Norman Weston will be performed. Other original works are featured by Saddleback faculty Scott Farthing, John Marr and Randy Rusk as well as works by Daniel Luzko from Irvine Valley College .
Tickets are $10 general; $7 students/seniors and can be purchased by calling the ticket office at 949-582-4656 (Tuesday-Friday, noon-4:00 pm) or online at www.saddleback.edu/arts.
The Music Department has established a comprehensive program which is considered to be one of the finest in California : a complete lower-division curriculum for transferring music majors, numerous performance groups, private and group lessons, a full concert series with faculty and guest artists, and general music courses. The nationally recognized faculty is dedicated to performance and to teaching in all areas such as vocal, instrumental, jazz, guitar and piano. Other music classes include harmony, musicianship, composition, history and appreciation of western art music, rock, jazz and world.
Saddleback College is located at 28000 Marguerite Pkwy in Mission Viejo , just east of Interstate 5 at the Avery Parkway exit. Parking is available in Lot 12. Take Avery Parkway to Marguerite Parkway turn left to the third traffic light, which is Saddleback’s Marguerite entrance. Turn right into the campus and take the second left to “ Theatre Circle ,” turning right into Lot 12.
Located in Mission Viejo, Saddleback College provides quality higher education and training to the greater south Orange County community. Having served more than 500,000 students since 1968, Saddleback College offers more than 300 degree and certificate programs to help students reach their personal, career, and educational goals. For more information, please visit www.saddleback.edu. For Fine Arts events, visit www.saddleback.edu/arts.
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Saddleback College Speech & Debate Team Score 3rd Place
Posted by CotoBlogzz 03-06-2010
Mission Viejo, CA – The Forensics Team represented Saddleback College well at the Pacific Southwest Collegiate Forensics Association (PSCFA) Spring Championships Tournament in San Diego on February 26-28. According to Heidi Ochoa, "This year's team is committed and talented enough to compete with the top 5 schools in the nation! Co-director Larry Radden and I are looking forward to seeing the efforts of our students rewarded at this prestigious tournament.” “I can't express what a joy it is to work with this particular group of students."
Aliso Viejo's Kamelle Leggett and Dana Point's Alexis Dickey scored 3rd Place in the Open Division, duo interpretation.
| PSCFA SPRING CHAMPIONSHIPS TOURNAMENT RESULTS February 26-28, 2010 San Diego , California | ||
| Kamelle Leggett & Alexis Dickey | 3rd Place | Open Division - Duo Interpretation |
| Andrew Schinnerer & Ambrose Cappuccio | 2nd Place | Junior Division – Duo Interpretation |
| Chelsea Salzman & Vincent Breck | 1st Place | Junior Division – Duo Interpretation |
| Lindsay Stepancich | 2nd Place | Open Division – Informative Speaking |
| Melisa Seyhun | Finalist | Junior Division – Informative Speaking |
| Melisa Seyhun | 2nd Place | Junior Division – Persuasive Speaking |
| Holland Smith | 1st Place | Junior Division – Persuasive Speaking |
| Dani Cherone | Finalist | Junior Division – Prose Interpretation |
| Vincent Breck | Finalist | Junior Division – Prose Interpretation |
| Ambrose Cappuccio | 2nd Place | Junior Division – Prose Interpretation |
| Holland Smith | Finalist | Junior Division – Speech to Entertain |
| Leah Bowman | 1st Place | Novice Division – Speech to Entertain |
| Lindsay Stepancich | 2nd Place | Open Division – Communication Analysis |
| Melisa Seyhun | 2nd Place | Junior Division – Communication Analysis |
| Andrew Schinnerer | Finalist | Junior Division – Programmed Oral Interpretation |
| Josh Guliuza | 2nd Place | Junior Division – Programmed Oral Interpretation |
| Leah Bowman | 1st Place | Novice Division – Programmed Oral Interpretation |
| Holland Smith | Finalist | Junior Division – Dramatic Interpretation |
| Kamelle Leggette | 1st Place | Open Division – Dramatic Interpretation |
The following students were also rewarded with the Scholars Award. This award is given to students who exhibit academic and competitive success. To qualify for this award, the student must have an overall GPA of 3.75 or higher and have competed in at least 3 tournaments during the Fall Semester of 2009.
Combiz Amirzadeh-Shams
Melisa Seyhun
Melisa Seyhun
Josh Guliuza
Lindsay Stepancich
Andrew Schinnerer.
Andrew Schinnerer.
Located in Mission Viejo, Saddleback College provides quality higher education and training to the greater south Orange County community. Having served more than 500,000 students since 1968, Saddleback College offers over 300 degree and certificate programs to help students reach their personal, career, and educational goals. For more information, please visit www.saddleback.edu and for Fine Arts information, please visit www.saddleback.edu/arts.
Friday, March 05, 2010
Mission Viejo's Serial DUI driver convicted of murder in DUI related crash
Posted by CotoBlogzz 03-05-2010 03:30 PM
WESTMINSTER, CA -Suzanne Amelia Carlson, with three prior driving under the influence (DUI) convictions and a blood alcohol level of .22 percent was convicted today of murdering her passenger by crashing into an 18-wheel truck. Carlson, 27, Mission Viejo, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of murder and one felony count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated with prior convictions. Carlson has three prior DUI convictions, one in 2001 and two in 2006 and faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life in state prison at her sentencing on June 11, 2010
On the night of Jan. 15, 2007, Carlson spent more than two hours consuming alcoholic drinks at a restaurant in Rancho Santa Margarita. The defendant left the restaurant and got into the driver's seat of a 1997 Infiniti sedan, belonging to 55-year-old Scott Turner. The defendant was under the influence of alcohol and driving at unsafe speeds with Turner in the front passenger seat.
At approximately 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 16, 2007, while driving westbound on California State Route 91, Carlson veered across two lanes and crashed into the back of a Fed-Ex 18-wheel truck. The force of the impact crushed the right side of the victim's car, causing Carlson to lose control and crash into the wall on the side of the freeway. Carlson freed herself from the car by climbing out of the sun roof.
Turner was trapped inside the vehicle and firefighters had to pry the car open to extricate the victim, who suffered internal injuries, from which he died shortly after the crash. At approximately 2:00 a.m., an hour and a half after the crash, Carlson had a blood alcohol level of .22 percent.
For each one of Carlson's prior DUI convictions in 2001 and 2006, the defendant took alcohol awareness courses where she was instructed about the dangers of drinking and driving and advised that driving under the influence of alcohol can result in killing oneself or others.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Steve McGreevy of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
WESTMINSTER, CA -Suzanne Amelia Carlson, with three prior driving under the influence (DUI) convictions and a blood alcohol level of .22 percent was convicted today of murdering her passenger by crashing into an 18-wheel truck. Carlson, 27, Mission Viejo, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of murder and one felony count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated with prior convictions. Carlson has three prior DUI convictions, one in 2001 and two in 2006 and faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life in state prison at her sentencing on June 11, 2010
On the night of Jan. 15, 2007, Carlson spent more than two hours consuming alcoholic drinks at a restaurant in Rancho Santa Margarita. The defendant left the restaurant and got into the driver's seat of a 1997 Infiniti sedan, belonging to 55-year-old Scott Turner. The defendant was under the influence of alcohol and driving at unsafe speeds with Turner in the front passenger seat.
At approximately 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 16, 2007, while driving westbound on California State Route 91, Carlson veered across two lanes and crashed into the back of a Fed-Ex 18-wheel truck. The force of the impact crushed the right side of the victim's car, causing Carlson to lose control and crash into the wall on the side of the freeway. Carlson freed herself from the car by climbing out of the sun roof.
Turner was trapped inside the vehicle and firefighters had to pry the car open to extricate the victim, who suffered internal injuries, from which he died shortly after the crash. At approximately 2:00 a.m., an hour and a half after the crash, Carlson had a blood alcohol level of .22 percent.
For each one of Carlson's prior DUI convictions in 2001 and 2006, the defendant took alcohol awareness courses where she was instructed about the dangers of drinking and driving and advised that driving under the influence of alcohol can result in killing oneself or others.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Steve McGreevy of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Laguna Nigel's Home Flipper Arrested
Posted by CotoBlogzz 03-04-2010
SANTA ANA, CA - William Warren Baker was arrested today for stealing over $900,000 from investors in a Ponzi scheme by fraudulently promising to buy, refurbish, and re-sell distressed homes for a profit.
Baker, 57, Laguna Nigel, is charged with 13 felony counts of using untrue statements in the purchase or sale of securities and 13 felony counts of selling securities in issuer transactions without qualifications with sentencing enhancements and allegations for loss over $100,000, aggravated white collar crime over $500,000, property damage over $150,000, and property damage over $200,000. If convicted, Baker faces a maximum sentence of 32 years and eight months in state prison. The defendant is being held on $1 million bail and must prove that the money is from a legal and legitimate source before posting bond. Baker is scheduled to be arraigned Monday, March 8, 2010
Between Jan. 20, 2006, and May 7, 2008, Baker is accused of embezzling over $900,000 from at least 10 investors that he met through church, friends, and other personal relationships. The defendant is accused of telling investors that their money would be used to buy and refurbish distressed homes, which he could then sell for a profit. Baker is accused of issuing unqualified stock certificates in exchange for investor funds.
The defendant is accused of failing to purchase any property to be renovated and flipped as promised to his investors. Baker is accused of instead purchasing a property for himself and transferring the property into a trust belonging to his son. He is accused of later transferring the property into a trust belonging to his wife. Baker is accused of using investor money for personal expenses or to pay back old investors from previous ventures.
Deputy District Attorney Marc Labreche of the Major Fraud Unit is prosecuting this case.
SANTA ANA, CA - William Warren Baker was arrested today for stealing over $900,000 from investors in a Ponzi scheme by fraudulently promising to buy, refurbish, and re-sell distressed homes for a profit.
Baker, 57, Laguna Nigel, is charged with 13 felony counts of using untrue statements in the purchase or sale of securities and 13 felony counts of selling securities in issuer transactions without qualifications with sentencing enhancements and allegations for loss over $100,000, aggravated white collar crime over $500,000, property damage over $150,000, and property damage over $200,000. If convicted, Baker faces a maximum sentence of 32 years and eight months in state prison. The defendant is being held on $1 million bail and must prove that the money is from a legal and legitimate source before posting bond. Baker is scheduled to be arraigned Monday, March 8, 2010
Between Jan. 20, 2006, and May 7, 2008, Baker is accused of embezzling over $900,000 from at least 10 investors that he met through church, friends, and other personal relationships. The defendant is accused of telling investors that their money would be used to buy and refurbish distressed homes, which he could then sell for a profit. Baker is accused of issuing unqualified stock certificates in exchange for investor funds.
The defendant is accused of failing to purchase any property to be renovated and flipped as promised to his investors. Baker is accused of instead purchasing a property for himself and transferring the property into a trust belonging to his son. He is accused of later transferring the property into a trust belonging to his wife. Baker is accused of using investor money for personal expenses or to pay back old investors from previous ventures.
Deputy District Attorney Marc Labreche of the Major Fraud Unit is prosecuting this case.
Monday, March 01, 2010
Coto de Caza’ Redistribution of Wealth: From Seniors to Dogs
Coto de Caza, CA- You cannot make this up: The Coto de Caza local governance, aka the CZ Master Association, has decided to proceed to build a dog park. Not a problem, particularly when you paraphrase Karl Marx’s 1875 Critique of the Gotha Program “From Coto de Caza seniors according to their means, to dogs, according to their owner’s whims”
Mr, Morabito is not only right when he writes “Whatever we do, we don’t need more of our common area committed to animals when we have the horse trails. That is ENOUGH. When the dogs in the community start paying CZ dues, they can have their own dog park. Until then, I am still waiting for a multi-generational park that meets the needs of a growing senior demographic.”, but with the aforementioned fiscal tsunami, the local governance has proven once again its fiscal irresponsibility.
Whereas Marx’s phrase summarizes the principles that, under a communist system, every person should contribute to society to the best of his or her ability and consume from society in proportion to his or her needs, regardless of how much he or she has contributed, in Coto’s system, this refers to taking from seniors according to their means and building a dog park, according to a small vocal minority's whims.
For years, former CZ Master Association director Joseph Morabito has warned about the community’s changing demographics and subsequent needs. “Maybe the land designated for a dog park could be better used for walking trails and my bocce court and or other amenities designed for us old geezers; kind of like a low impact exercise yard for seniors since the Sports Park is dominated by outsiders and a few hundred other CZ Members”, he writes.
Instead, the board decides to build a dog park.
The community not only has miles of horse trails already, used exclusively by a very small minority in the % range, plus others who pay nothing, zero, nada, for the maintenance. Then, if dog owners use the trails, the owners must clean up after their pets. Horse riders get a free ride, literally. Then there is the Sports Park mentioned by Mr. Morabito.
Further, the community’s crime and vandalism is at an all time high, yet the local governance has failed to be proactive anent public safety.
Are you still with me?
Now consider that the community’s reserves are at less than 30% when these should be at around 70%, while the association doles out subsidies at the tune of more than $3 million/year
There is not a reasonable, compelling argument to develop the land under the current economic climate and the looming financial tsunami it faces, of its own making, other than a small vocal minority deciding that a dog park was a good idea. If the objective is to develop the land, in the face of a financial tsunami created by gross mismanagement, then we reason, Mr. Morabito’s idea is excellent. The alternative reads more like what happened to AIG and GM after the government bailout – they simply spent a large portion lobbying the government for more money. Both entities want more help from the government.
Likewise, a dog park tailored to a small minority of Coto residents, not unlike the original horse trail design and the recent additions, will just add recurring maintenance costs and very soon, the same group will be coming back for more money.
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