The federal fraud charges in Los Angeles against a Beverly Hills salon owner have made news because celebrities were the alleged victims of the theft.
But these are not uncommon cases. The electronic age has exponentially increased the risk of credit card theft. The ease of obtaining personal credit card information for fraudulent purposes can also leave a defendant, particularly a business owner, wrongfully accused. Hiring an experienced federal criminal defense lawyer in Los Angeles is the first step to defending your rights. These cases are different than theft charges prosecuted in state court. Charged under federal law, these cases often result in significant prison sentences without an aggressive and comprehensive defense.
The owner of the salon is charged with using the credit car information of Anne Hathaway, Liv Tyler and Jennifer Aniston to run up hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraudulent charges. Cher and Melanie Griffith may also have been victimized. The owner is accused of stealing $214,000 from Tyler alone over a five-month period, according to court documents.
The 51-year-old salon owner is accused of making at least $280,000 in fraudulent charges over a one-year period, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. She allegedly ran up additional unauthorized charges after receiving their credit card information for legitimate salon services, ABC News reported.
The owner faces two counts of fraud and up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
CBS News reports that the owner has declared her innocence via Facebook.
The owner was taken into custody by the U.S. Secret Service without incident.
Jewelry designer Loree Rodkin was also reportedly victimized. Her attorney reports that $68,000 was charged to her credit card without her permission. The owner of the salon allegedly offered to give Rodkin $25,000 worth of product in an attempt to smooth things over. That offer was declined.
If you are facing federal charges in L.A. or the surrounding area, contact Rodriguez, Lewis & Kahn for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights.
