Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog

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.

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Huntington Beach, Orange County - Huntington Beach couple Mary Jones and Miguel Orozco were arrested for suspicion of burglary. Police had been investigating a series of commercial burglary cases in the Huntington Beach area. The couple was stopped for a traffic violation when the officer noticed the stolen property in the back seat of their car. The victim of the burglary was able to identify their property that had been stolen by the couple. They are being held on burglary charges.

Huntington Beach criminal defense attorney Michael Guisti, who spent years defending theft crime charges in Orange County and commented on this case. He states that the charge of burglary can be found in the California Penal code section 459. It defines burglary as entering a residential area with the intent to commit a crime while inside. This is also called first-degree burglary, and is usually charged as a felony. However this cases deals with commercial buragalry. It is also referred to as second-degree burglary. This is the lesser of the two burglaries and can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony.

Having a burglary charge on your record can be serious. The Orange County criminal process may seem confusing to a person that is facing a theft crimes charge like burglary. Hiring an experienced Newport Beach criminal defense attorney and Costa Mesa Theft Crime defense attorney to help lead you through the court system is the most important step in defending your theft crimes charge.

If you or someone you know has been investigated or arrested for theft crimes, either a misdemeanor or a felony theft crime, whether it is embezzlement, grand theft, shoplifting, fraud, white collar crime, financial fraud, medical fraud, health care fraud, insurance fraud, petty theft, or any type of theft crimes, you need to have an experienced and qualified Orange County theft crime attorney or an Irvine criminal attorney to protect your rights immediately.

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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.

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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" »

Long Beach, Los Angeles - A Long Beach California resident Insurance Agent has been convicted of felony count of grand theft in Orange County superior court. Matthew Shawn Bissell has pleaded guilty. His sentencing includes five years probation, restitution and community service. Bissell's insurance license was revoked.

Bissell Los Angeles Insurance Company provided various insurances services and products to his business clients. Bissell was allegedly took the client checks from the business account to his personal bank account. It caused the extreme financial risk to his clients. From 2005 to 2007, Bissell also allegedly committed insurance fraud by issuing bogus certificates of insurance.

There are different types of theft crime charges, such as grand theft, fraud (Bank Fraud, Credit Card Fraud, Healthcare Fraud, Insurance Fraud, Real Estate Fraud Investment), embezzlement, white collar crime, bribery, petty theft, shoplifting, burglary, receiving stolen property. If convicted, the consequences for the theft crimes are very serious and the punishments can be very harsh. It usually includes the jail time or prison time, substantial fine, probation and restitution.

Whether it is a misdemeanor or felony theft crime charge, you need to consult with an Orange County theft crime defense lawyer or Los Angeles criminal defense attorney immediately to protect your legal rights.

Continue reading "Long Beach Insurance Agent Convicted of Felony Grand Theft" »

IRVINE, Orange County - An Orange County restaurant owner in Irvine has been charged with insurance fraud for carrying out millions of dollar in workers compensation and tax evasion. Simon Hong and his wife were convicted of 14 felony counts of insurance fraud.

They allegedly owe $5.8 million in lost revenue to state, penalties and interest. They underreported their payroll to the workers compensation insurance, and underreported their tax revenue. The couple was released on a $75,000 bail.

Under California Law, Fraud is also one type of theft crimes, and itis a very serious crime. Fraud is one of the most aggressively prosecuted crimes in California. If convicted, the penalties and consequences are very severe. Fraud crime can be charged either as misdemeanor or felony, but most of the fraud crimes are charged with felony, depending on the circumstances and seriousness of the crime.. If you have been investigated or arrested for fraud in Orange County or any counties in Southern California, it is critical to seek the legal help from an experienced Orange County Criminal Defense Attorney or Orange County fraud defense attorney at Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti.

Orange County Fraud crime defense attorneys and Southern California Theft Crimes Attorney at Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti has many years of experience both in state and federal court in defending clients who have been accused of healthcare fraud, Medicare fraud, Medical fraud, insurance fraud, Auto fraud, bank fraud, credit card fraud, Real Estate Fraud, Financial Fraud, Mortage Fraud, identity theft, internet fraud.

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SANTA ANA, Orange County - An Orange County man was charged with felony count of identity theft and fraud for stealing $1.5 million from home equity lines of credit. Joe Inthisone was facing 75 months in federal prison and pay back $538,000 in restitution for the two identity theft schemes. ,.

He was convicted of felony count of bank fraud, felony count of conspiracy and identity theft, federal prosecutors said. He and two other men, used other people's personal information to take over their accounts at the Bank and transferred money to their own account.

If you have been investigated or charged with Identity Theft or fraud in Orange County, it is imperative to hire an experienced Southern California Criminal Defense Attorney to defend you. At Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti, our skilled Orange County Criminal lawyers are very experienced with federal defense and fraud crime law. We have successfully represented numerous clients in fraud defense, professional license defense and white collar crime defense in California.

Our skilled fraud defense attorneys have defended client both in Federal and State court. We have represented clients in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego. Our Federal fraud Crime Defense Lawyers are dedicated to protect your rights and freedom and work relentlessly to keep you out of jail, get your charge reduced or get your case dismissed

Continue reading "Orange County Man Convicted of Felony Credit Card Fraud and Identity Theft" »

Orange County - An Orange County caregiver, Susana Duran, worked for an elderly woman has been charged with several felony theft crimes for stealing over $250,000 from her employer. She was also charged with felony charges for financial elder abuse by caregiver and using a debit card without authorization and felony counts of forgery. If convicted, she could be sentenced to many years in prison.

Duran was arrested for stealing the employer's debit card, forging checks from the victim's account. She started working for the 92-year-old woman since 2005 and during the time she had been stealing money from her bank account and forged her signature.

Theft crime defines as the criminal act of taking other person's property without consent. Under California law, the theft crimes are serious offense, it includes: Petty theft, fraud, embezzlement, credit card theft, shoplifting, burglary, and identity theft.

Grand theft is the criminal act of taking another person's property without consent, the amounty is usually over $400. The grand theft crime is usually charged as felony theft crime. If convicted, the punishment is very severe, includes longer jail time, fines, and probation.

Embezzlement or employee fraud is theft or stealing from an employer. It is a very common white collar crime. Under Penal Code PC 503, embezzlement is unlawfully taking money or property from another person for personal use.

Embezzlement, fraud or other theft charges carry heavy penalties, such as jail time, fines and community service. If you or your loved one has been charged with any of theft crimes, you need speak to a skilled Orange County criminal defense attorney immediately. A qualified criminal defense lawyer by your side can help you defend your rights and your freedom.

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Orange County - Orange County Register reports that a Tustin man pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 31 years and four months in prison for identity theft of many people and using them to buy properties.

Gene Franklin, 34, was also charged with fraud for getting out of jail and fled to Mexico before the trial.

Franklin was convicted of 46 felony counts including identity theft, resisting arrest, failure to appear on a felony while on bail. His bail was $2.8 million.

In late 2006, Franklin used someone else identity and bought a $685,000 Huntington Beach home under that person's name.

In January 2007, Franklin was trying to buy a $310,000 boat using another person's identity.

In April, 2007, Franklin was arrested after a SWAT standoff at his Huntington Beach home. He had $1 million bail.

From jail, Franklin contacted a former girlfriend, Iris Orozco, and told her if she could help him to get out of jail, he would marry her.

In Oct, 2007, Franklin posted $1 million bail and ran away to Mexico with Orozco by using fraudulent documents from transferring the properties.

Police found him later in Mexico and brought him back to Orange County.