Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog

Westminster, Orange County - Los Angeles resident, Lior Bitton, the owner of Pacific Diamonds & Gems Inc. in Los Angeles claims a 4 carat diamond worth $99,000 was stolen. A jewel courier that worked for his office was robbed in Westminster. It is alleged that he claimed $256,000 worth of diamonds was stolen along with the 4 carat diamond. After giving a police report Bitton then filed a claim for the diamond with his insurance company. Soon after the claim was filed, it was discovered by police that the diamond was actually getting appraised in Israel at the time of the robbery. Police state that his courier did in fact get robbed, however it is alleged that the four carat diamond was not among the items stolen.

In California, Crimes like insurance fraud is among a group of crimes called white collar crimes. These crimes also include grand theft, Medicare fraud, credit card fraud, and identity theft. Insurance fraud is defined in the California Penal Code section 550(a). It states that the making of fraudulent claims as knowingly present or cause to be presented any false or fraudulent claim for the payment of a loss or injury, including payment of a loss or injury under a contract of insurance. California White collar crimes like insurance fraud are usually charged as felonies.

Since white collar crimes are felonies, the punishments can be harsh and if convicted, the consequences can effect a person's life and future. The punishments include long prison sentences, fines, and restitution. It is important to hire an experienced Westminster criminal defense attorney or a skilled Irvine white collar crime defense attorney to help you defend these serious charges.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Jeweler Caught in Insurance Fraud and Grand Theft" »

Los Angeles, California - Los Angeles Detective Leonard Avalos of the LAPD is facing embezzlement and grand theft charges. It is alleged that Avalos was embezzling money that was meant to go to protect witnesses. Many witnesses will not testify unless they are given money from the city to move away after the trail. Avalos was supposed to give these city funds to the witness. However, Avalos could not produce any of the receipts that would prove he gave them the money. After the police questioned the witnesses, it was discovered that he had only given them some of the money and embezzled the rest. Is he is convicted he faces up to six years in prison.

Under California law, Crimes like grand theft, embezzlement, credit card fraud, health care fraud, and identity theft are considered white collar crimes . Grand theft usually can be charged as felony and can be defined in the California Penal Code, section 487. Grand theft has occurred when the money or property that has been taken amounts to more than $400. Embezzlement can also be found in the Penal code under section 503. It states that embezzlement has occurred when Embezzlement is the fraudulent appropriation of property by a person to whom it has been entrusted. Both of these crimes are usually charged as felonies.

It is important to hire an experienced Newport Beach white collar crime defense attorney or Irvine embezzlement attorney if you are facing charges like grand theft or embezzlement. These crimes are considered felonies and can mean long prison sentences and restitution. It is imperative to hire a skilled Orange County theft crime attorney or a Los Angeles criminal lawyer to defend you.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Detective Faces Embezzlement and Grand Theft Charges" »

La Habra- Hector Porrata, George Martinez, Cara Cruz, and Rene Montes of Orange County plead guilty to insurance fraud. It is alleged that the group was able to fraudulently obtain $1.4 million for AIG insurance company. The group worked at a claims-adjusting company. The scam involved liens that doctors and hospitals put on workers compensation insurance claim to make sure they are paid. The suspects are facing charges like grand theft, insurance fraud and conspiracy.

Crimes like insurance fraud, grand theft, identity theft, credit card and embezzlement are called "white collar crimes". Grand theft is defined in the California Penal code 487. Grand theft has occurred when the money or property that has been taken amounts to more than $400. Insurance fraud is defined in Penal code section 550(a). It states that the making of fraudulent claims as knowingly present or cause to be presented any false or fraudulent claim for the payment of a loss or injury, including payment of a loss or injury under a contract of insurance . These crimes are considered felonies which mean long prison sentences, restitution, and fines.

Being charged with a white collar crime is serious in Orange County. It is imperative to a person who is facing charges like grand theft to retain an experienced Orange County white collar criminal defense attorney. To help you defend your white collar crime charge.

Continue reading "Four Orange County Residents Plead Guilty to Insurance Fraud" »

Tustin - Seven residents of Orange County have been arrested for credit card fraud. It is alleged by police that the group would purchase items from stores like Best Buy and Target with fraudulent credit cards. Two members of the group are accused of making fake receipts from theses stores in order to get free merchandise through rebates. Georgia Su and Kenneth Gill are being charged with creating the credit cards. Other members of the group were arrested on suspicion of commercial burglary, grand theft and identity theft.

In California crimes like grand theft, credit card fraud, and identity theft are considered white collar crimes. Crimes like grand theft are usually charged as felony. The California Penal code defines these crimes. Grand theft can be found in Penal code section 487. Grand theft occurs when the property or money stolen amounts to more that $400. Another crime mention is credit card fraud. This is found in Penal code section 484f (a) and states that every person who, with the intent to defraud, designs, makes, alters, or embosses a counterfeit access card or utters or otherwise attempts to use a counterfeit access card is guilty of forgery. Punishment s for these crimes could be long prison sentence, restitution, and large fines.

It is important to hire an Irvine white collar crime defense attorney if you are facing a crime like grand theft or credit card fraud. Since these crimes are usually charged as a felony, having an experience criminal defense attorney can help you defend these charges.

Continue reading "Seven Orange County Residents Arrested for Credit Card Fraud " »

Tustin, Orange County - An Orange County secretary was caught embezzling $140,000. As a secretary at Five Star Water Truck Rental, she was in charge of the company's finances and the bank account. Beverly Winter would forge the checks and then deposit them into a personal bank account. She was finally discovered when her employer was notified from the bank that the companies account had been over drawn. She is being charged with felony forgery and felony falsifying records.

Under California law, forgery and falsifying records are just a couple examples of "white collar crimes". A white collar crime is usually a crime like embezzlement, identity theft, credit card fraud, check fraud, and grand theft. Forgery can be defined in the California Penal code section 470(d). Forgery occurs when a person knowingly alters, falsifies, or counterfeits anything like checks, and money orders. This can be charged as a felony in California and is a very serious offense. There can also be an en added if enhancement amount stolen amounts to over $100,000.

White collar crimes are considered very serious in California. They are usually charged as felonies and can come with enhancements. A person facing a white collar crime charge like fraud, embezzlement, forgery or grand theft should immediately hire an Irvine white collar crime defense attorney or a Newport Beach criminal attorney to protect your rights.

Continue reading "Orange County employee charged with felony grand theft and Embezzlement" »

Placentia- Orange County businessman Joseph Aluya is being accused of stealing around $321,000 in tax returns from his clients. He owns a company that does tax preparation as well as real estate, notary and loans. It is alleged that Aluya will plea not guilty to the allegations. Aluya has a trust account set up for his client's returns. The money is wired into this account and would then print out a check to give to a client. He claims he never had a customer complain about getting cheated. He is facing the charges of tax evasion and possession of stolen government money.

In California, crimes involved with professionals in embezzlement, fraud or grand theft are considered "white collar crimes". White crimes can involve fraud, healthcare fraud, embezzlement, identity theft, band fraud, check fraud, credit card fraud, and grand theft. Grand theft or grand larceny is a very serious offense. In this case not only will he have to face the charges of tax evasion and possession of stolen government money, but could also face embezzlement and grand larceny charges. Grand theft is one of the most common white collar crimes in Orange County. It can be defined in the California Penal code section 487. Grand Theft has occurred when the amount of what was taken amounts to more than $400. This is usually charged as a felony.

Since being charged with a white collar crime such as grand theft or fraud is so serious. It is important to hire an experienced Orange County white collar crime defense attorney to handle your case so that your legal rights can be protected.

Continue reading "Orange County Business man accused of Grand Theft and White Collar Crime for stealing $321,000" »

Santa Ana, Orange County - Santa Ana man, Michael Martinez recruited members of a Santa Ana gang to help him commit Medicare fraud. He and 20 other defendants planned to defraud Medicare by making fraudulent orders on wheelchairs, orthothics and hospital beds. Some of the defendants were supposed to act as owners of a medical supplies company. They submitted around 11.2 million dollars of fraudulent claims to Medicare. He is expected to plead guilty.

Under California criminal law, Medicare fraud falls under a set of crimes called "white collar crimes". These crimes usually deal with crimes like embezzlement, healthcare fraud, identity theft, grand larceny and credit card fraud. In cases like this one, the suspect usually faces grand theft charges. Grand theft can be defined California Penal code under section 487. Grand theft or grand larceny, is committed when what was stolen amounts to more then $400. This charge is usually charged as a felony which means that the person being charge will have to pay fines and serve a prison sentence.

Any of the white collar crime like embezzlement is considered very serious charges, and most of the time they get charged as felonies. This can mean long sentences, large fines and having to pay restitution. Retaining an experienced Irvine white collar crime defense attorney or a skilled Newport Beach fraud defense attorney is imperative when defending white collar crimes, grand theft, or fraud charges, such as medical fraud or health care fraud.

Continue reading "Santa Ana Gang Commits Medicare Fraud and Grand Theft" »

Westminster, Orange County - A trio from Westminster were caught trying to pull off a real estate fraud scam that is worth $17.5 million. Kathy Chen, her boyfriend Richard Gonzalez, and his brother Daniel Gonzalez, are being charged with 157 felony counts of conspiracy, grand theft, forgery, recording false documents, and identity theft. Chen used to work as a real estate broker and owned several businesses. The three of them bought 35 properties around Orange County with stolen identities. They used the identities of unsuspecting victims that had little income and could not speak English. The group had planned to take out the loans and never pay the loans back. Chen's boyfriend and his brother are fugitives. Authorities allege that the two have a house in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Orange County Fraud defense attorney Michael Guisti explains the charges in this case. Grand theft can be defined in the California Penal code 487(a), which states that grand theft has occurred when the money, property or real property amounts over $400. Chen is also being charged with identity theft. This can be found in the Penal code 530.5(a) and occurs when a person willfully obtains personal identification with the intent to use it for an unlawful purpose. Irvine criminal defense attorney Michael Guisti goes on to state that both of these charges are considered felonies in California. If a person is convicted of these crimes then they will face lengthy prison sentences and large fines.

White collar crimes is a very serious offense. A white collar crime can be medical fraud, grand theft, real estate fraud, identity theft, check fraud, health care fraud, credit card fraud, money laundering and embezzlement. When first being charged with a white collar crime such as grand theft, it can be overwhelming. Hiring a skilled Newport Beach white collar crime defense attorney is the most important thing a person can do when defending a white collar crime charge.

Continue reading "Westminster Trio Caught in Real Estate Fraud" »

Santa Ana, Orange County - Santa Ana police caught Marcus Williams of Los Angeles in an insurance fraud scam. Williams is the vice president of sales for the cell phone company Verizon. He files a police report stating that a 5 carat diamond engagement ring had been stolen from his office. A detective for the Santa Ana Police Department discovered that Williams had taken out several insurance polices and flied four claims. Police soon discovered that the claims that had been filed were for the allegedly stolen ring. When asked about how the ring was stolen, Williams always changed the story.

The claims that were filed for the ring amounted to $400,000. When Williams started to suspect that police had figured out his scam, he told them that the ring had suddenly appeared. When they asked how it appeared, he gave them several different stories. He was then arrested for five felony counts of making fraudulent claims.

Orange County fraud crimes defense attorney Michael Guisti explains California law on charges of making a fraudulent claim and grand theft. He explains that it can be found in the California Penal code section 550(a). It defines the making of fraudulent claims as knowingly present or cause to be presented any false or fraudulent claim for the payment of a loss or injury, including payment of a loss or injury under a contract of insurance. The punishment for making a fraudulent claim varies depending on the amount of the claim. If it is more than $950, the punishment is up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $50,000. The court could also decide to have you pay a larger fine by doubling the amount of the claim. If it is less than $950, then the punishment is one year in prison and a fine of $10,000. Both are charged as a felony in California.

Being charged with a felony fraud charge, grand theft or insurance fraud is a serious offense in Orange County and Los Angeles and dealt with to the highest extent. If you have been charged with grand theft or making a fraudulent claim or any other white collar crime such as health care fraud, insurance fraud, medical fraud, identity theft, check fraud or embezzlement, it is imperative to hire an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer or Orange County white collar defense attorney.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Man Caught in Insurance Fraud in Orange County" »

Newport Beach, Orange County - Laguna Niguel woman, Yvonne Pampellone, was sentenced to do 180 day in jail for identity theft to get breast implants. Pampallone went to Pacific Center for Plastic surgery in Huntington Beach. She opened up a line of credit with the medical center under another identity to get breast implants. Pampallone was not only planning to get breast implants, but liposuction as well. The worth of the plastic surgery was around $12,000.

The medical center began to become suspicious of Pampellone when she failed to show up for her follow-up appointments. A detective was able to trace her true identity by the tracking numbers of her first implants. Pampellone turned herself in and pled guilty to second-degree burglary, grand theft and the unauthorized use of personal identity. She will serve 180 days in jail, three years probation, and will have to pay restitution.

Newport Beach white collar crime defense attorney Michael Guisti defines the law from this article. He explains that second degree burglary can be found in the California Penal code section 460. It is also called commercial burglary. This means that the suspect entered a place of business with the intent to commit a felony. Second degree burglary is considered a "wobbler" in the state of California. This means that it can be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor. The Newport Beach criminal defense attorney goes on to explain grand theft. Grand theft can also be found in the Penal code section 487(a ) and it states a person has committed grand theft when the money, labor, or real or personal property taken is of a value exceeding four hundred dollars ($400). This is a felony and if a person is convicted of this, they will have to serve a prison sentence and pay restitution.

If you or someone you know has been arrested or charged with fraud, grand theft, felony fraud, medical fraud, health care fraud, or a white collar crime in Orange County, Newport Beach, Santa Ana, Fullerton, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Westminster, Los Angeles, it is imperative to consult an experienced Newport Beach criminal attorney or an Irvine criminal defense attorney immediately to protect your rights.

Continue reading "Laguna Niguel Women Arrested for Identify Fraud and Grand Theft" »

Santa Ana- Mitchell Zogob, a former insurance broker, pleaded guilty to 23 counts of insurance fraud. He is sentenced to 10 years in jail for grand theft, forgery, and insurance fraud. Zogob was paid 4.6 million in workers comp insurance premiums. He would then give the companies forged certificates of insurance, however he never obtained insurance. This left the companies open to workers comp claims.

Santa Ana white collar crime defense attorney Michael Guisti explains what a white collar crime is and its punishments. He explains that there are many different types of white collar crimes such as grand theft, insurance fraud, health care fraud, forgery, and credit card fraud and identity theft. He goes on to explain the white collar crime grand theft. Grand theft is one of the most common types of white collar crime and it can be found in the California Penal code section 487(a). Its states that grand theft has occurred when, the money, labor, or real or personal property taken is of a value exceeding four hundred dollars. The court can also decide to add an enhancement to the charge if the amount taken is more than $500,000.

In Orange County, white collar crimes, such as grand theft, insurance fraud, and embezzlement are dealt with to the fullest extent. If convicted of theses serious charges a person can expect to be facing long prison sentences, fines, and restitution. Retaining a Newport Beach white collar crime defense attorney to defend you is the most important step you can take.

Continue reading "Former Santa Ana Insurance Broker Caught for Fraud" »

Laguna Niguel, Orange County - Laguna Niguel resident, William Baker, was arrested Thursday for stealing almost a million dollars from investors in a investment scheme. Instead of using the fund for his clients, he used the fund for his personal use. From 2006 to 2008, Baker embezzled nearly $1 million from at least 10 investors. Baker had promised investors the he would buy run down houses and then remodel them. Baker took the money from the investors and bought property, then put the properties in a trust for his son. He also used some of the investor's funds to pay back earlier investors.

Orange County white collar crime defense attorney and Los Angeles County investment fraud defense attorney Michael Guisti recently discussed about this case, stated that Baker could be facing serious felony crime in grand theft, embezzlement, real estate fraud and investment fraud charges. The Los Angeles criminal attorney also commented that a defendant like Baker with bail amount of 1 million dollars, need to prove the legal source of money before posting bond. California has very harsh penalties for people that commit real estate fraud, investment fraud and embezzlement.

Orange County white collar crime defense attorney Michael Guisti also states that these types of crimes are considered felony crimes which come with not only long prison sentences, but large fines and restitution. Baker is most likely going to also face the charge of grand theft which is defined in California Penal code section 487(a ) and it states a person has committed grand theft when the money, labor, or real or personal property taken is of a value exceeding four hundred dollars ($400). A Laguna Niguel judge might also decide to add an aggravated white collar crime enhancement which adds five years to the prison sentence and is a $500,000 fine.

The first move a person needs to make when facing a white collar crime in Southern California, such as real estate fraud, credit card fraud, insurance fraud, investment fraud, and mortgage fraud, medical fraud, healthcare fraud, grand theft or embezzlement, or need professional license defense is to retain a experienced Los Angeles criminal attorney or an Orange County white collar crime defense attorney immediately. Newport Beach fraud defense attorneys and Newport beach white collar crime defense attorney at law Offices of Michael Guisti have handled hundreds of white collar crimes in Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Westminster, Los Angeles, Beverly hills, santa monica, redondo beach, pasadena and many other cities.

Continue reading "Laguna Niguel Man Arrested for embezzlement and fraud in house flipping scheme" »

Orange County - According to Orange County Register, a man who illegally practiced medicine, distributed unapproved drugs, and ran an unauthorized HMO was sentenced today to five years of probation and 270 days in jail.

Daryn Wayne Peterson plead guilty to several charges including: one felony count each of the unauthorized practice of medicine, operating a health care service plan without a license, offering an unapproved drug for cancer treatment, and one misdemeanor count of selling misbranded food.

Not only did Peterson practiced medicine without a license, but also claimed to have obtained his PhD from "Canterbury University." However, investigators found out anyone can get a "degree" from "Canterbury University" for $180 from an internet website. Peterson illegally ran an HMO under "National Health Care Organization," which claimed "doctors" can cure cancer patient without surgery. These "doctors" were not licensed to practice medicine in California.

The practicing of medicine without a license or nursing without a license is also known as the unauthorized practice of medicine. Practicing medicine without a license can include the examples such as: claiming to be a doctor without a license, using the letters "M.D." or "D.O.", prescribing medication to a person without a license, providing medical treatments without a license, etc.

Medical doctors who practice medicine outside of their scope of license are also considered as an unauthorized practice of medicine. The same goes for doctors who had their medical license revoked but continues to practice medicine.

Orange County criminal attorney and Los Angeles professional license defense lawyer, Michael Guisti, recently discussed about this case in an interview. He commented that unlawful practice medicine in California, whether in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, Newport Beach, Irvine, Beverly Hills, can be charged by Business & Professions Code section 2052(a), grand theft by deception (Penal Code section 487(a), or perjury (Penal Code section 118(a), all of them are considered as felonies.

Under California law, practicing medicine without a license is a serious crime and can be punished by jail and prison sentences, fines, community service, and parole. In addition, practicing medicine without a license can result in civil action. The victims can institute a civil lawsuit against the person pretending to be a doctor for assault, battery, emotional distress, etc.

If you have been charged with unauthorized practice of medicine, whether you are a doctor, physician, a surgeon, a doctor, a nurse or a medical health care professional, it is imperative to retain an experienced criminal defense attorney and professional license defense attorney immediately.

Continue reading "Orange County 'Doctor' practicing medicine without license is sentenced " »

Santa Ana, Orange County - Six Los Angeles residents were charged with check fraud today. The defendants have stolen more than$ 650,000 from various retail stores around the area. The defendants Tyrone Grey, Tyrica Goff, Jazmine Williams, Brittnay Myvett, Niesha Johnson and Nedra Beard allegedly have been writing the checks in several stores.

The scheme consisted of the defendants writing counterfeit American Express travelers checks at stores like T.J Maxx, T.J Maxx Home Goods and Marshall's. The defendants would then buy merchandise that amounted over $100. Then the six defendants would return the merchandise to get the money. They used the counterfeit checks in different stores within those chains.

In California theft crime are a very serious offense and the punishments can be very harsh. There are various forms of theft crimes such as: grand theft, white collar crime, shoplifting, petty theft, fraud, medical fraud, issurance fraud, larceny, grand larceny, embezzlement, auto theft, and credit card fraud. Los Angeles criminal attorney Michael Guisti, of a Leading criminal defense law firm in Orange County and Los Angeles, spoke about the case, indicated that if these 6 people are convicted with theft crime or check fraud using or making counterfeit checks, the punishments could be severe, such as prison time in a federal prison and large fines as outlined in California Penal Code section 470-483.5.

A person that is being charged with a theft crime they need to hire an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney or an Orange County criminal attorney

Orange County theft crimes defense attorney Michael L. Guisti has handled hundreds of theft crimes cases and has the experience you need to represent you. If you or someone of know is getting charged with a theft crime. Contact the Law Offices of Michael Guisti and consult with our skilled Southern California criminal defense attorney. Call him at (714) 530-9690 or visit us at www.topcalifornialawyer.com.

Los Angeles - Recently, a Los Angeles golf course operated by the Veterans Affairs Medical Center was shut down due to financial improprieties. Two employees Christopher Spelio and Brian Clark were charged with embezzlement. The two had been undercounting green fees and concessionaire profits and pocketing thousands of dollars.

The pair was caught after local police had place surveillance equipment in the course's club house. The police had been tipped of by some employees that had been suspecting Spelio and Clark of stealing. Police found that the stealing had been going on for six years. They have estimated that the amount that has been embezzled amounts to $180,000.Other employees think it could be as much as $200,000

The two men entered in misdemeanor guilty pleas in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Orange County Theft Crimes attorney and Los Angeles white collar crime attorney, Michael Guisti predicts that these men might also charged with other theft crimes such as grand theft and money laundering

Embezzlement is considered a "White Collar" crime. This type of crime is also referred to as employee crime. Under the California Penal Code 186.11(a) embezzlement consist of a pattern of related felony conduct and the pattern of related felony conduct involves the taking, or result in the loss by another or entity of, more than $100,000 a person that is facing such a charge would need a good Orange County Criminal attorney. If you are facing these charges you could face upon conviction you could be facing imprisonment in federal prison.

There are a wide variety of theft crimes such as grand theft, petty theft, grand theft, petty theft, embezzlement, forgery, shoplifting, medical fraud, insurance fraud, band fraud, credit card fraud, identity theft, auto theft. Under California law if you are charged with a theft crime it can be very serious. Penalties for being charged with a theft crime are prison time, large fines, restitution, probation and parole. Theft crime penalties depend upon the seriousness of the crime and prior criminal records. It could also mean the loss of your professional license.

It is critical that if you are charged with theft crime that you retain a criminal defense attorney that has experience in this area of the law. If you or someone you know has been arrested or charged with a theft crime or a white collar crime like embezzlement. Call our skilled Los Angeles Criminal Attorney or Orange County criminal lawyer at Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti at 714-530-9690.