Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog

Santa Ana, Orange County - Santa Ana plastic surgeon Mark Knight could lose his professional license. Knight was recently caught having sex with one of his patients. Knight was seeing a female patient that had come to him for a tummy tuck. It is alleged that her husband and children were waiting in their car. After waiting a long time in the car, the husband took the children in the office to use the restroom. The husband then heard noises coming from the exam room. It is alleged that this is when the husband saw his wife having sex with him. There was a second incident with Knight and a patient where it is alleged that Knight kissed one of his patients' without her consent.

The California Medical Board takes it very seriously when a doctor that is licensed by them is caught having a sexual relationship with one of their patients. The law that governs sexual misconduct with a patient can be found in the California Business and Professions Code 726. It states the commission of any act of sexual abuse, misconduct, or relations with a patient, client, or customer constitute unprofessional conduct and grounds for disciplinary action for any person licensed under this division. In a situation like this, the California Medical Board can revoke the license of a medical practitioner.

Having your professional license taken away can change a person whole life. This means that they will no longer be able to work in their previous field. This means that they would have to change jobs, and there would be a loss of wages. If you or someone you know is about to lose their professional, they need to hire an experienced Newport Beach professional license defense attorney or a Newport Beach criminal attorney immediately.

Continue reading "Santa Ana Plastic Surgeon Accused of Sexual Misconduct " »

Laguna Beach- Orange County acupuncturist William Goit is being charged with sexual battery. It is alleged that while he was treating his patient he mad inappropriate comments to her. He made a comment about her appearance, and started to give her a message. He told his female patient to turn around. It is alleged that after he had asked her to turn around he pulled down her pants. The victim immediately went to the police. He is being charged with misdemeanor sexual battery.

In California, there are a series of codes that define sexual battery. Each code describes what needs to have happened for there to have been a sexual battery ad what the punishments are. Depending on the facts of the case the punishment will change. In the case mention above, this type of sexual battery can be defined in the California Penal code section 243.4(e) (1). Sexual battery has occurred when any person who touches an intimate part of another person, if the touching is against the will of the person touched, and is for the specific purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification, or sexual abuse, is guilty of misdemeanor sexual battery. The punishments can be affine fine of up to $2,000 and a jail sentence for up to six months. In the case above the defendant is an acupuncturist. Having a sexual battery charge on his record can be very serious. Since a license is needed to practice acupuncture. He is in danger of losing his professional license.

Sexual Battery is a very serious offense in California. It can change a persons whole life especially if the person is a license profession like a doctor, acupuncturist etc. It is important to retain a Newport Beach sexual battery defense attorney to help you defend you in your case.

Continue reading "Laguna Beach Acupuncturist Charged with Sexual Battery" »

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" »

Santa Ana, Orange County - A Costa Mesa dentist that killed three patients in his dental chair wants to be paroled. Protopappas is currently serving for three counts of second-degree murder. His patients died while sitting in his dentist chair after receiving an overdose of anesthesia. Protopappas in past years stated that he was not responsible for the death of the three victims. The Board of Prison Terms claims that Protopappas does not demonstrate an understanding of what he had done, and is therefore in ineligible for parole. However, Protopappas says that he understands what he has done and is no longer a danger.

A Santa Ana criminal attorney is filing an appeal in Orange County court system stating that the parole board has violated Protopappas's due proves rights. His Orange County criminal defense attorney says that the parole was wrong in using Protopappas insight in to the murders as a gauge for parole and that he knows has remorse. He also claims that he can no longer be a danger because he will no longer be a dentist.

Under California Law, Second -degree murder can be defined in California Penal Code 187 as the unlawful killing of a human being, or a fetus, with malice aforethought. Murder is considered as one of the most serious crimes among all crimes. In California the punishment for murder is very harsh. If found guilty of murder, you could face life in prison with out parole. Orange County criminal defense attorney Michael Guisti has noted in this case that a professional, such as a doctor, a physician, a surgeon, a therapist or any medical health care professional, who is convicted of murder, first degree murder, second degree murder, attempted murder, could you get life in prison, and the defendant could also lose his professional license. If you or someone you know is facing murder charges or under investigation for murder, it is imperative to retain an experienced Southern California criminal lawyer immediately to protect your rights.

Continue reading "Costa Mesa Dentist charged with second degree murder for killing three patients" »

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.

NEWPORT BEACH, Orange County - An Ex-CFO of an Irvine based architectural company, was arrested Thursday for grand theft and white collar crime. Salvatory Josef Fulwider, of Yorba Linda, was charged on Thursday with embezzlement for stealing over $1.9 million from the firm's business accounts and the firm owner's personal account from 2003 to 2009. Fulwider is held on $1.3 million bail and will be arraigned on Monday at the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach.

According to Orange County Theft Crime attorneys at Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti, if Fulwider wants to post the bail of $1.3 million, he needs to prove that the fund he will use for bail is from a legal source instead of the illegal source.

After reviewing the case, the Orange County criminal defense attorney and Irvine Theft Crime defense lawyer, Michael Guisti, analyzed that it looks like that the CFO, Fulwider, could be convicted of white collar crime, grand theft, forgery, falsifying records, and also he could get sentencing enhancements for grand theft of over $1.3 million. If this corporate financial executive is convicted, he is most likely to be sentenced to over 40 years in prison.

There are various types of theft crime charges, such as grand theft, petty theft, embezzlement, forgery, shoplifting, medical fraud, insurance fraud, band fraud, credit card fraud, identity theft, auto theft, and money laundering.

Under California criminal law, theft charges are serious crimes and the punishment is very harsh, it includes: prison time, large fines, restitution, probation and parole. Theft crime penalties depend upon the seriousness of the crime and prior criminal records. If you or someone you know has been arrested or investigated for theft crime, embezzlement or white collar crimes, it is critical to retain the services of a criminal defense attorney who has the knowledge and experiences to ensure a successfully defense for your theft crime charges.

Continue reading "Newport Beach CFO charged with White Collar crime, Grand Theft and Embezzlement " »

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" »

SANTA ANA, Orange County - A disbarred Orange County attorney and his two business partners in the loan modification business were charged with a felony count of conspiracy for committing fraud, grand theft and felony counts of grand theft by false pretense. Christopher Lee Diener, Stefano Joseph Marrero, and Terrence Green Sr., of Ladera Ranch, were arrested today for the grand theft and white collar crimes in defrauding over 400 homeowners. The business was under the name of Home Relief Services LLC and US Loan Mod Processing and Diener Law Firm. The business provided service to people who need loan modification and facing home foreclosures.

Under California criminal law, white collar crime, grand theft are very serious crimes. Under California Penal Code Section PC 487, Grand theft is defined as the unlawful taking someone else's money or property valued above $400. Theft crimes are serious offenses and it carries severe penalties. It can be charged as misdemeanor or felony, depending on the severity of the case, circumstances of the case and prior criminal records.
And the punishment for the felony white collar crimes are severe. If convicted, they could be sentenced to 70 years in prison. They could also face sentencing enhancements for white-collar crime and excessive taking.

If you're charged with a California felony theft crime, you need to consult wit an experienced Orange County Criminal defense attorney or Southern California Theft crime defense lawyer immediately. A highly qualified attorney can help you avoid jail, minimize the penalties and achieve favorable outcome of your case.

Continue reading "Orange County Attorney and partners charged with White Collar Crime, Fraud and Grand Theft" »

Newport Beach, Orange County - A Newport Beach woman has been arrested for mortgage fraud, real estate fraud and bank fraud. Mailan Tran, of Newport Coast, was charged with felony grand theft and conspiracy to commit grand theft with sentencing enhancements of causing banks lose more than $2.5 million. If convicted of all charges, she will be facing 14 years and eight months in prison.

From 2005 and 2007, Tran teamed up with other people took several loans from different banks for their homes through Tran's mortgage company Money Lending One in Westminster. They had mortgage on the house already, but they took out seperate loans from another bank.

Under California criminal law, fraud is a white collar crime. Fraud defines as a person or an organization deliberately misrepresents themselves in order to obtain some financial gain. California fraud charge is a serious crime, and the punishment is severe, it includes jail or prison time, substantial fines. If you have been investigated or arrested for fraud, you need to hire an experienced California fraud defense attorney to defend you.

The skilled fraud defense attorneys at Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti have decade of experience in both state and federal court defending clients for their felony fraud charges throughout Southern California, Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Bernardino and Riverside. Our criminal defense attorneys will work tirelessly to defend you and make sure that your rights are protected.

At Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti, our Southern California criminal defense lawyers and Orange County fraud defense attorneys have represented clients charged with bank fraud, healthcare fraud, medical fraud, insurance fraud, credit card fraud, identity fraud, internet fraud, and many other types of fraud.

Continue reading "Newport Beach Woman Charged with Grand Theft and Real Estate fraud" »

Orange County, California - A Winnipeg doctor, Dr. George Korol, was suspended from his medical practice in Manitoba in February. According to Medical Board of California's record, Korol was arrested in Orange County on July 4, 1995 and he was charged with attempted murder, arson and terrorist threats. He was sentenced to 2 years in prison for attempted murder and arson. His medical license was revoked in California in 1998. His license was revoked by the medical board for "unprofessional conduct, corruption and criminal charges substantially related to the qualifications of a physician and surgeon." He was accused of tossing firebombs into his mother-in-law's house during the divorce proceedings. He was convicted of arson in the firebombing and terrorist threats to harm his wife and her family.

If you have a professional license through one of California's professional licensing boards, then being faced with criminal charges could mean more than just the temporary loss of your freedom -it could mean the loss of your livelihood, if your professional license is suspended or revoked. Here at the Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti, our Orange County professional license defense attorneys have been helping clients such as doctors, nurses, realtors, lawyers, chiropractors, and many other licensed professionals fight to keep their licenses when they are being charged with a crime, or even after they have been convicted of a crime.

Our Southern California Criminal Defense Attorneys have successfully handled numerous cases in California Professional License Defense and White collar crime defense throughout Southern California, such as Orange County, Los Angeles, Newport Beach, Santa Ana, Fullerton, Laguna Beach, Irvine, Beverly Hills, Pasadena, Torrance, Santa Monica, Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Tustin, San Diego.

Continue reading "Ex Orange County Doctor's License Suspended due to Criminal Charges" »

Orange County, California - Orange County Register reports that Florida attorney Scott Rothstein was arrested Tuesday for federal white collar crime and felony fraud charges for running an investment scheme which promised huge returns on investment in fraudulent legal settlements.

He was also charged with federal white collar crimes, federal fraud charges, felony counts of mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy. He could be facing 100 years in prison. The fraud also involves more people who could face charges. The once well-known law firm is dissolved and Attorney Rothstein was disbarred.

California Fraud and white collar crimes are usually complex and time consuming. Prosecutors and federal always take long time to investigate on the case.
The Orange County white collar crime defense attorneys have successfully represented clients in white collar crimes, embezzlement, grand theft, fraud charges throughout Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside. Our Southern California criminal defense lawyers handle wide range of misdemeanor and felony cases and we are also specialized in Professional License defense for white collar crimes.

The common financial fraud or investment fraud involve as follows:

• Real Estate Fraud or Mortgage fraud
• Embezzlement
• Grand Theft
• Conspiracy
• Corporate Accounting Fraud
• Mail Fraud
• Wire Fraud
• Money Laundering

Continue reading "Lawyer Charged with White Collar Crimes and Investment Fraud" »

SANTA ANA, Orange County - An Orange county caretaker is charged with Grand Theft, aggravated white collar crime and fraud for stealing more than $100,000 from disabled people by writing checks from their accounts.

Shandie Rosete, of Placentia, was a caretaker for an Orange County nonprofit organization helping disabled adults. She was charged with felony grand theft for stealing over $100,000 by making 663 checks and transfer to her personal account.from 2004 to 2007. She is charged with 14 felony fraud, grand theft plus sentencing enhancements for aggravated white collar crime of more than $100,000.

SANTA ANA, Orange County - An Orange County Ex- CPA and trustee, Margot Strawn, of Laguna Hills, was convicted of 2 felony counts of grand theft plus sentencing enhancements for aggravated white collar crime over $500,000. She has been sentenced to 4 years in prison Monday for felony grand theft over $500,000 from client's trust fund.

She was required pay back in restitution to her client, according to the Orange County District Attorney's office. She was hired by her client fund management. During 2001 and 2007, she took over $500,000 by transferring money from the trust account to her personal bank account.

SANTA ANA, Orange County - A former NFL player, Reed Diehl, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison today. He was arrested in March 2008 and pleaded guilty to felony charges of federal fraud crimes in an investment scheme.

According to federal prosecutors, he was convicted of 3 counts of investment fraud. Nine people have been defrauded of over $5 million in a bogus loan program. Through his investment scheme, he used the investors' funds to pay for his personal expenses and lifestyle.

Under California Law, White collar crime is defined as unlawfully using deceit to obtain money or property to secure a business advantage. White-collar crimes usually involve business and professional people, such as corporate executives, CEOs, or professionals, who made poor decisions. White-collar crimes are usually very complex cases and most of the white collar crimes are filed in federal court.

White collar crimes or fraud crimes are serious crimes. If convicted, they could carry very severe punishment and consequences. The penalties include jail or prison time, enormous fines and restitution. Nowadays, Fraud cases and white collar crimes become more and more aggressively prosecuted crimes.

At Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti, our Southern California criminal defense attorneys and Professional License Defense attorneys are very aggressive and experienced.
Our California White Collar Crime Defense Attorney has successfully defended in numerous white-collar cases in both federal and state courts. Our Southern California criminal defense attorneys are extremely familiar with the legal systems, court systems, judges and prosecutors in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego and throughout Southern California.

Our Southern California white collar crime lawyers aggressively defend our clients charged with or being investigated for a white collar crime. Some most common California white collar crimes include:

• Bank Fraud
• Identity Theft
• Grand Theft
• Credit Card Fraud
• Medical Fraud / Medicare Fraud
• Healthcare Fraud
• Mail and Wire Fraud
• Insurance Fraud
• Embezzlement
• Real Estate Fraud
• Investment Advisory Fraud

Continue reading "Ex-NFL Player Convicted of Federal Felony Fraud Crime" »

TUSTIN, Orange County - A Tustin man, Clifford Polston, the chief executive officer of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tustin, was convicted of grand theft and embezzlement for stealing $114,000 from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tustin. He pleaded guilty to grand theft with a sentencing enhancement for stealing fund over $50,000. Other counts of grand theft and forgery charges were dismissed. He is facing 4 years in prison.

Under California Law, California Penal Code Section PC 487, Employee embezzlement is a grand theft crime. It defines as illegally transferring or taking of property or money to personal use which has been entrusted. Embezzlement is common theft crime committed by corporate executives, such as CEO, executives or a professional.

Embezzlement is also called employee theft or employee fraud, it is considered as a white collar crime. It is a very serious crime and it could be charged to a corporate executive or a professional. It can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony depends on the seriousness of the case. Embezzlement is also a fraud crime. If convicted of embezzlement or grand theft in Southern California, a person can be facing harsh punishment, such as jail time, substantial fines, restitution and probation.

If you or someone you know has been arrested or investigated for embezzlement or a white collar crime, you need to consult an experienced Southern California Theft Crime Attorney or Orange County White Collar Crime Attorney immediately. At the Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti, we are committed to the highest quality of representation and we will work tirelessly to protect your rights and provide the best possible results.

Continue reading "Tustin Corporate Executive Convicted of Embezzlement and Grand Theft " »