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.
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