Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog

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 - Dr. Steven Kooshian was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for not giving his patients the correct dosage of their medication. Kooshian is a well know AIDs doctor in Orange County and runs many clinics. He pled guilty to two counts of health care fraud and two counts of making false statements relating to health-care matters. Kooshian would purposely prescribe or administer a lower dosage of the patients AIDs medication.

Kooshian's assistant Virgil Opinion, was the person that had started this investigation. He had been Kooshian'd assistant for more that 10 years. He terminated his employment with the doctor and then went to the press with the information. He told the police that his conscience had been killing him. He pled guilty to being an accessory to the crime and will serve three years probation and is ordered to pay restitution jointly with Kooshain.

According to Orange County criminal attorney and professional license defense attorney, Los Angeles Medical fraud defense attorney, Michael Guisti, that under the California Insurance Code Section 1871.4 and California Penal Code Section 550, a person who is charged with healthcare fraud in a situation when he / she makes a false statement to obtain or deny insurance benefits while claiming for insurance. the person could also be charged with penal code section 118 together as the insurance claim is based on false statement.

Continue reading "Orange County Doctor charged with health care fraud for Skimping on AIDS Medicine" »

NEWPORT BEACH, Orange County - A Newport Beach woman, Bethany Jane Brady, who was working as an account for a Newport Beach salon for13 years, was charged with grand theft and embezzlement for stealing more than $250,000 from the employer. Brady had been using funds from the salon's account for her personal use for the past three years. Brady was convicted of grand theft, embezzlement and identity theft.
Brady was sentenced to two years in state prison for felony theft crime of embezzling more than $250,000 from the Newport Beach salon. Besides, she also has to pay $250,000 in restitution. She was also facing enhanced sentencing for stealing more than $200,000.

There are various charges involved with theft crimes and white collar crimes, such as grand theft, fraud, embezzlement, insurance fraud, bank fraud, real estate fraud, credit card fraud, forgery, medical fraud, shoplifting and petty theft.

Under California law, embezzlement is defined as illegal transfer of money for personal use. In California, embezzlement is also called employee theft crime. It is a theft crime that committed by employees.

In a case involved someone such as Bethany Brady, who steals money from the employer for the amount over $400, can be charged with a serious Grand Theft and embezzlement. It can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. If the person is charged with felony Grand Theft, the punishment usually includes: state or federal prison, restitution, Fines and more. If you have been charged with white collar crime or embezzlement or grand theft in California, it is important to hire an experienced Los Angeles Theft crime attorney or Orange County white collar crime attorney to protect your rights.

Continue reading "Newport Beach Woman convicted of Felony Grand Theft and Embezzlement" »

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.

Continue reading "Irvine Restaurant Owner Convicted of Felony Insurance Fraud " »

SANTA ANA, Orange County - A former corporate Executive, Tracy Salcido, of Yorba Linda, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for stealing $780,000 from the Non-profit organization. She pled guilty to 225 felony counts of embezzlement, Grand Theft, Fraud, forgery and falsifying records. She was ordered by Orange County Superior court judge to pay $1.15 million in restitution for the theft crime charges.

She worked as the CFO for Orangewood Children's Foundation during 1999 to 2005, a nonprofit organization that provides supports to young children. During this time, Salcido stole over $780,000 by forging 206 checks from the business accounts to her personal account.

After she was arrested, she was ordered to pay $500,000 for the settlement of the fraud lawsuit by Orangewood.

California Fraud and white collar cases are usually very complex and time consuming cases and may take months or years of investigation. Most of the White Collar Crimes and Fraud Charges are felony charges. There are some most common types of white collar crime and financial fraud, medical fraud, including: At Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti, our experienced Southern California White Collar Crime Attorney and Professional License Defense Attorney provide aggressive defense in array of white-collar crimes throughout Southern California, Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino in both State and Federal court, including:

Mortgage fraud / Real Estate Fraud; GrandTheft Penal Code Section 487(a); Medical Fraud / Medicare Fraud; Embezzlement (Penal Code Section 487(a) or Penal Code Section 504); Mail and wire fraud: Corporate Accounting Fraud; forgery and falsifying records; Conspiracy; Stock Fraud; Securities Fraud' Computer Fraud / Internet Fraud; Corporate Fraud; Money Laundering; Insurance Fraud

White-collar and fraud crime are one of the most aggressively prosecuted crimes for both state and federal prosecutors. If convicted, the punishment is severe and the consequences are very serious. It's very critical to have an experienced and aggressive defense lawyer to represent you. A successful defense can make a big difference to your case.

In fraud and white collar crime cases, it is essential that you consult an experienced and skilled Southern California Criminal defense lawyer who has extensive knowledge in White Collar Crime defense and Professional License Defense. To schedule a confidential consultation, contact white collar crimes attorney at Law Offices of Michael Guisti today.

Continue reading "Orange County Corporate Executive Convicted of Felony Embezzlement, Fraud and White Collar Crime" »

Orange County, California - Several people of Orange County have been arrested for Medicare fraud through fake billings for medical supplies. They fraudulently claimed $26 million from the federal insurance program.

Michael Martinez, of Long Beach and 6 others were arrested Oct. 21, is charged with health care fraud and for making false statements to the government. If convicted, he is facing 75 years in federal prison.

Health Care Fraud or medicare fraud is a serious charge, and it can be charged with Felony.depending on the seriousness of the case. Under the California law, Insurance Code Section 1871.4, Penal Code Section 118 and Penal Code Section 550, health care fraud is defined as claiming insurance with false statement to obtain insurance benefits. Health care fraud is one of the most aggressively prosecuted crimes.

The Medical Fraud or health care fraud is a very serious crime, and the punishment is harsh. If convicted, it could have a very strong impact on your life and future.

Whether you are a doctor, physician or health care provider, if you or someone you know have been arrested or investigated for medical fraud or health care fraud, it is crutial to hire an experience Southern California Healthcare Fraud Defense Attorney to defend you.

Continue reading "Orange County Men Arrested for Medicare Fraud " »

SANTA ANA, Orange County -Orange County Superior Court Judge Today sentenced a woman of Costa Mesa to 10 years in prison for her conviction of $154 million medical insurance fraud. It is believed to be the largest medical insurance fraud prosecution in the nation.

Sue Nanda, 40, of Costa Mesa, was convicted of 22 counts of felonies in Feb, 2009 for working as a "capper,'' or "marketer" under Unity Outpatient Surgery Center in Buena Park by recruiting 310 patients to have unnecessary surgeries.

Nanda had made $2.35 million profit from 2001 to 2004 for providing her service to doctors by selling the surgeries to patients and persuading them to undergo unnecessary surgical procedures in exchange for money.

It's the largest medical fraud in Orange County and the nation. Deputy District Attorney in this case asked the Judge to give her a sentencing of 20 years in prison.

Nanda's criminal defense lawyer, E. Thomas Dunn, argued that she was not aware of her activities were illegal and she was used by other people, thus she should be given a probation.

This Insurance Fraud case also involves the charges against three doctors, a lawyer and eight other "cappers". The alleged doctor, William Hampton Jr., was sentenced to 16 years in prison.

The sentencing for the other defendants, Dr. Michael C. Chan and Dr. Mario Z. Rosenberg is still pending.

Under California criminal Law, Medical fraud defines as paying / receiving kickbacks for Medi-Cal billing referrals.

Medical fraud is serious crime. Health insurance data shows that about 3% - 10% of Medicaid budget every year was wasted due to medical fraud. California's Medi-Cal losses can reach billions of dollars annually.

According to criminal Penal code section: Individuals receiving or encouraging another to receive health care could be convicted of either a Felony or misdemeanor, depending on amount of fraud.

The charges for soliciting or receiving medical kickback or bribe can be either a Misdemeanor or felony depends on the individual case.

Continue reading "Costa Mesa Woman Convicted of Largest Medical Insurance Fraud " »