Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

On the heels of a previous pill-mill bust in Los Angeles, federal authorities have made 16 more arrests after raiding pharmacies and alleging a large-scale Medicare fraud scheme, The Associated Press reports.

As the Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog reported recently, federal authorities broke up what they are calling a pill-mill operation where 1 million OxyContin pills were sold for $23 to $27 per pill, and people's identities and Medicare beneficiary information were stolen.

Cases of insurance fraud in Los Angeles can be complex to prove if there is an accused large network of co-conspirators. In cases like this, the prosecution must be able to show that every person accused as part of the alleged conspiracy intended to participate in the illegal action -- from the ringleaders on down.

But charges of insurance fraud can carry serious penalties, whether charged in state court or federal court. Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers are prepared to handle charges of fraud and drug crimes in Los Angeles as these pill-mill investigations continue to pop up.

In this case, Manor Medical Imaging Clinic of Glendale is at the center of the dispute. According to a federal complaint, a doctor there wrote prescriptions for anti-psychotic drugs including Seroquel, Abilify and Zyprexa. They were billed to Medicare and Medi-Cal, but authorities allege the drugs didn't go to the beneficiaries. Instead, they were sold on the black market and sent to San Gabriel Valley, where pharmacists repackaged and resold them.

Authorities allege that some Medicare beneficiaries had their identities stolen, which led to them not being able to get the drugs they needed later on. Targeted in the alleged scam were the homeless, veterans, the poor and the elderly. The main pharmacy alleged in the case is Huntington Pharmacy in San Marino. Court documents state the pharmacy had $45,000 in Medi-Cal claims in 2009, but that spiked to $1.5 million in 2010.

According to the news article, those charged with conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud could face up to 30 years in prison, if convicted.

As prescription drug fraud and insurance fraud has become more and more popular, these investigations have increased as well. That means that there will likely be more indictments, more large-scale "busts" and trials of those charged.

Pharmacists, doctors and others in the medical industry are facing a challenge right now as federal investigators look at everything they do. Even a small mistake could lead to very serious charges. And while it may appear to the public that every person charged is guilty, that's simply not the case. A federal complaint can have big words and be written very convincingly, but until the case gets to trial, these defendants are innocent until proven guilty.

To show that each person was responsible for the fraud is a challenge, as is proving that every person was part of a scheme and not simply doing what bosses instructed them to do. And in many of these cases, one co-defendant may not have ever met or spoken with another co-defendant or know who they were.

What may appear as a well-formed scheme from the outside may not be as connected and intertwined as believed by the government. That's why these defendants require a fair trial to sort out all the facts and with the help of an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer, they can get that.

Continue reading "Feds Make Arrests In Alleged $18 Million Medicare Fraud in Los Angeles" »

A recent Los Angeles Times article lays out charges filed against 14 people, including an elderly doctor, who allegedly participated in an illegal OxyContin insurance fraud scam.

"Pill mills" and other prescription drug-based crimes are on the rise in the United States as law enforcement has changed its focus from heroin and cocaine level drugs to prescription drugs as buyers and sellers change their preference.

But in the past, the only people charged in drug crimes in Los Angeles were the buyers and sellers and maybe a few distributors.

Today, more and more people are getting wrapped up in Los Angeles insurance fraud cases alleging that they, doctors, pharmacists and others were involved in schemes to not only illegally sell prescription drugs, but to defraud insurance companies at the same time. Los Angeles insurance fraud defense lawyers must be consulted if a situation like this arises.

According to the Times, a two-year investigation revealed that more than a dozen people allegedly participated in the scheme, largely based on insurance fraud.

A federal indictment alleges doctors wrote prescriptions for the painkiller to uninsured patients who didn't need it. The conspirators also got pills from pharmacies by fraudulently billing insurance companies, including the publicly run Medicare.

According to investigators, the pills were resold for $23 to $27 per pill and they sold more than 1 million pills. Identity theft and Medicare beneficiary information theft was also alleged as part of the scam.

Along with clinic operators, two doctors, aged 88 and 73, are accused of participating. Recruiters, pill runners or fake patients are the others accused in connection with the alleged operation. Initially, 10 of the 14 were arrested, while authorities looked for the remaining defendants.

The accused are charged with drug conspiracy or healthcare fraud. One of the clinic operators also is charged with wholesale distribution of OxyContin. The defendants face a maximum of 10 to 40 years in prison.

Insurance fraud is simple in concept, but complex on a case-by-case basis. Insurance fraud in Los Angeles is simply defrauding an insurance company through false pretenses. In situations like these, it means filing claims with insurance companies for drugs that a person doesn't need or setting up claims on behalf of a person whose identity has been stolen.

When drugs are involved, the case can become more complex, because potential drug laws could be broken in the process as well, adding to the possible penalties and attracting more attention from authorities fighting the "War on Drugs."

Insurance fraud in California can be different than federal charges of fraud. The penalties can vary and the elements of the crime are different as well. Being charged in state versus federal court can make a big difference for a defendant in terms of penalties, how the case plays out and how the sentencing is handled.

Continue reading "OxyContin Insurance Fraud Scheme Alleged in Los Angeles" »

The California Attorney General has sued a group of lawyers who are accused of fraudulently taking millions of dollars from thousands of homeowners who were allegedly promised they would get help on their bad home loans, the Los Angeles Times is reporting.

Fraud in Los Angeles is is generally defined as lying or concealing information in order to get money from someone or from a company or entity. But sometimes actions are seen as a crime by law enforcement when honest mistakes are made or bad advice is given.

In cases where fraud is alleged, an experienced Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney must be hired. Charges stemming from allegations of fraud not only can result in long prison terms, but also the possibility of having to pay back money, if convicted.

In this particular case, it appears criminal charges haven't been filed, but rather the state decided to sue law firms, lawyers and 14 others who were allegedly involved in the scam. The state accuses the group of working to defraud homeowners across the country by marketing "mass joinder" lawsuits, with hundreds or more individually named plaintiffs. The state alleges the marketing was done in a deceptive manner.

Attorney General Kamala D. Harris told the news media she is seeking "fines, penalties, damages and restitution in potentially the tens of millions of dollars."

The lawyers' assets have been frozen as this is the first act of a task force that was designed in May to combat mortgage fraud.

A Fox News story adds some details, including that the firms urged homeowners in California and in 17 other states to pay $4,000 to $10,000 to join a class-action lawsuit against lenders, but the cases were actually treated separately.

If clients called for information, sometimes their calls weren't returned and they got little help, the news reports. HUD offers similar legal services for free. The clients were also allegedly promised relief from their lenders, new interest rates as low as 2 percent and also possibly financial damages awarded.

While homeowners need to be careful when selecting legal help, it's a bit disconcerting that the first action of the mortgage fraud task force is a crackdown on defense lawyers.

Everyone knows that the real estate market has been hard hit by the economy and many people are struggling with foreclosure right now. Missing mortgage payments can lead to people losing their houses and being kicked to the curb. For that reason, people are desperate to stay in their homes and look to too-good-to-be-true means to make it happen.

Of course, there's another side to that story. Investment opportunities make promises, but they're not guarantees. No one can guarantee a lawsuit will be successful or an investment opportunity will net big profits. But when things go south, a person is always looking for someone to blame.

If criminal charges are brought by the state and a person is convicted, they not only can face years in prison, but also could face forfeiture proceedings in Los Angeles. That means that if a person purchased a vehicle or a house in the time that they allegedly committed the crime, the state can attempt to get that property and money back. A person may also be forced to pay restitution, which is paying back money that was allegedly stolen from investors or victims.

There's a lot on the line in fraud cases and therefore they must be defended diligently and with the help of an experienced Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer.

Continue reading "California Authorities Shut Down Los Angeles Foreclosure Scam" »

Three people recently pleaded not guilty to charges that they conned banks out of about $6 million by pledging properties they didn't own and faking paperwork to support the claims, according to the Los Angeles Daily News.

Federal charges in Los Angeles are among the most difficult to defend, not necessarily because of the facts, but because of the power of the federal government. But Los Angeles Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys regularly challenge cases in federal court on behalf of defendants who are wrongly accused. Everyone deserves a fair trial and a diligent defense that seeks to prove the client innocent.

According to the news story, two brothers and another man were arrested and charged with conspiracy and multiple counts of wire fraud, identity theft and unlawful monetary transactions. These charges amount to a possible 115-year prison sentence, according to the report.

A federal indictment, which isn't any proof of a crime, alleges the men created fraudulent deeds of trust, corporate records and other documents that made it appear they held the title to and owned certain properties.

The indictment also alleges they fabricated documents to create the impression that other loans on the properties had been paid off and that there was sufficient equity in the properties to secure new loans.

Prosecutors allege the men put pressure on lenders to act quickly because funds were needed for less than a month so they could extend a pre-existing escrow and that the money would be returned. But the government contends that after victims wired money, it was sent to off-shore bank accounts.

While the allegations may seem like some to be a slam-dunk case for the government, it's not necessarily so. In order to prove these charges beyond a reasonable doubt, the government will no doubt try to convince one or two of the three accused to enter plea agreements in order to get their testimony.

In cases like this with multiple defendants, the prosecution spends a large amount of the time seeking testimony from people they have charged with a crime in order to secure convictions. Many times, if all defendants keep quiet and don't help prosecutors, they can't secure convictions.

The credibility of a witness whose testimony has been purchased through a plea deal must be attacked and shown to a jury as questionable. Further, the government must have all its ducks in a row regarding financial statements and other business records, which can be a complex process.

While these charges can no doubt be challenged, facing the federal government can be tough because agents have the ability to pick and choose which cases they want to tackle and put the full force of the government behind them. That's why hiring an experienced Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer who has spent years fighting in the federal court system is important. Trust experience and knowledge of the system and an attorney who will fight to protect your rights and work to secure the best possible resolution in your case.

Continue reading "Three Accused of $6 Million Federal Bank Fraud in Los Angeles" »

The owner of a swank Beverly Hills skin care studio to Hollywood stars was recently sentenced to probation, home confinement and community service for scamming customers out of thousands of dollars in fraudulent credit card charges, The Los Angeles Times reports.

Los Angeles fraud defense attorneys have years of experience representing people charged with fraud and other types of crimes typically heralded as being "white collar" crimes. This means crimes involving money and theft in Los Angeles rather than crimes of violence.

In this case, the salon owner, 52, was accused of racking up about $68,000 in unauthorized charges on a credit card belonging to a high-end jewelry designer.

The designer told investigators that several other high-profile victims said unauthorized charges began popping up on their credit card statements after they made payments at the salon studio.

After an investigation by federal authorities, it was revealed that American Express found more than $214,000 in fraudulent charges made by the salon over a five-month period in 2009. Those were charges just to one actor on two credit cards.

Charged in federal court rather than state court, the salon owner was sentenced to five years of probation, including nine months of home confinement and 3,000 hours of community service.

According to 2009 statistics compiled by the FBI, there were more than 615,000 reported cases of larceny theft that year. While that can account for petty thefts, it also includes theft of money from cases such as credit card theft.

With the advent of the internet and the ability for people to scam credit cards through phishing machinery and other devices to steal credit card information, the crime has become more prevalent in our society.

And while companies lose money when it gets stolen, they also lose money in hidden costs and fees from trying to deal with the negative publicity and refunding customers. It's a big hassle and when money's involved, companies usually press police to better enforce the law.

Sometimes, innocent people are ensnared in the long arm of the law and need aggressive defense attorneys to have their backs. That's where we come in. Our firm handles all areas of criminal defense in Los Angeles and Southern California.

We will diligently look over all aspects of your case, study the police reports and statements, challenge search warrants and what evidence the state or government believes it has against our clients. Because being thrown into the criminal justice system requires an advocate who has been there for countless other citizens charged with a crime.

These crimes are sophisticated and must be defended by a law firm that has handled these types of cases before. If you or a loved one is charged with a white collar crime, not only your freedom, but your finances could be on the line because prosecutors often try to get restitution or forfeiture of assets in financial crimes. So, fight every aspect of the case.

Continue reading "Beverly Hills Salon Owner Sentenced in Credit Card Fraud Case" »

The developer of a public housing project is facing fraud charges in Los Angeles after an investigation prompted by the couple's pending divorce allegedly uncovered financial irregularities, the L.A. Times reported.

A federal criminal defense lawyer in Los Angeles must always handle allegations of complex white-collar financial crimes. The government frequently relies upon conspiracy, mail and wire fraud charges in such cases, which are significantly easier to prove than the underling allegations. Defendants must contact experienced legal help as early in the process as possible. Penalties for conviction often involve forfeiture, restitution and prison time.

The couple has since convinced a judge they no longer wish to divorce, which could remove the independent receiver who was appointed to oversee the company -- meanwhile a federal fraud investigation has been initiated. Last year, the receiver had notified the judge that he had discovered possible criminal activity in the low-income housing business. Allegations are that the company fraudulently collected low-income housing funds in excess of $134 million.

In the wake of the allegations, both Los Angeles and Glendale have filed lawsuits alleging that the company fraudulently received tens of millions of dollars in public funds. They also allegedly underreported their income to the IRS by an estimated $80 million.

Continue reading "Federal Fraud Investigation in Los Angeles Targets Low-Income Housing Owners" »

Bookmaking in Los Angeles may have moved to the relative anonymity of the World Wide Web, but the recent federal crackdown on online poker sites is a reminder that the Internet makes it no less illegal.

Whether its horses or dogs, or sports or cards or dice, the last two decades have seen an explosion of legitimate gambling outside Vegas. However, there remain very few places where sports betting or bookmaking is legal outside Sin City. Online companies operate under ambiguous legality -- often setting up offshore in locations where bookmaking is legal.

A Los Angeles bookmaking defense attorney must be familiar with both local and federal law and must have the knowledge and experience to defend a client against bookmaking charges, whether those charges involve old-fashioned pen and paper or a website located offshore.

Whether bookmaking for sports bets or operating an online gambling site of the type recently shut down by the feds, the penalties for arrest and conviction can be quite severe and typically include the seizure of millions in assets.

As the Los Angeles Times reported, U.S. gambling regulations are confusing, hypocritical and costly. April 15th's 52-page indictment of 11 defendants shut down three major online poker sites. The defendants are charged with bank fraud, money laundering and operating illegal gambling businesses.

Full Tilt Poker, Poker Stars and Absolute Poker were all based overseas. The Times reports authority for the bust comes from the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, which was slipped into a must-have terrorism bill and rushed through Congress.

A look this week at Full Tilt Poker's website brings the bust home in a hurry. The site is stamped with the logos of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Justice. It notifies visitors that "This Domain Name has been seized by the Federal Bureau of Investigation pursuant to an Arrest Warrant in Rem issued by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York."

The feds claim the companies got around banking laws by setting up fake online merchants to handle credit card billing from and to players.

Continue reading "Poker Crackdown Illustrates Risk of Illegal Gambling, Bookmaking Charges in Los Angeles" »

A man facing federal fraud charges in Los Angeles has been ordered to live in a shelter after posting $1 million bond, Bloomberg News reported.

Federal defense attorneys in Los Angeles have seen a significant increase in the number of fraud charges being pursued against real estate agents, mortgage brokers, attorneys, investment advisers and other professionals. Federal cases can be particularly serious because of the use of mail fraud and wire fraud charges, which are often easier to prove and carry substantial penalties.

In this case, the 48-year-old defendant, who is accused in a $200 million fraud scheme, was ordered to live in a halfway house after being released from jail by a federal magistrate in Los Angeles. He was place on electronic monitoring and ordered to live at the Volunteers of America shelter.

He is accused, along with two business partners, of 12 felony counts, including securities fraud. They are accused of defrauding about 5,000 investors in Akron-Ohio based Fair Finance Co. out of at least $200 million.

Many of these cases have surfaced since the beginning of the economic downturn. In some instances, the defendants are guilty of nothing more than losing money and/or making bad investments when the real estate or stock market exploded. Neither is a crime.

He had requested permission to leave the halfway house but was returned there after a federal magistrate was dissatisfied with the financial accounting he brought to the court. He was ordered to return to the halfway house for seven days or until he could provide more details.

Continue reading "Man ordered to Stay at Shelter after Facing Federal Fraud Charges in Los Angeles" »

A family of three is facing immigration fraud charges in Los Angeles after authorities say they charged up to $60,000 to arrange fake marriages for illegal immigrants, according to the L.A. Times.

Like charges of credit card fraud and identity theft, these can be complex cases -- prosecutors may also be prone to overcharging defendants based on the number of occurrences. And the allegations, even if true, may not even constitute a crime. Speaking to an experienced fraud defense lawyer in Los Angeles at the earliest stages of such cases is the best bet to protect your rights.

Authorities say the couple, ages 61 and 56, owned an immigration consulting business that worked primarily with Indian nationals who sought marriage certificates and work visas. They, along with their 30-year-old daughter, were arrested on federal criminal charges for suspicion of immigration fraud. They live in Yorba Linda.

Officials launched their investigation in September 2009 after noticing what they claim were suspicious visa applications -- including some that had the same spouses and marriage witnesses.

The Associated Press reports the couple charged up to $60,000 for marriages for foreigners who came to the country on visas, primarily from India. They are accused of recruiting low income U.S. citizens, who were often homeless or drug addicts, to enter into the marriages.

Continue reading "Couple Facing Federal Fraud Charges in Los Angeles -- Allegedly Arranged fake Marriages for Immigrants " »

Detectives say DNA has linked a federal bank fraud defendant in Los Angeles to a violent home invasion inside a gated Southern California community, according to the Mercury News.

Los Angeles federal criminal defense attorneys know the popularity of shows like CSI give many the impression that DNA cases are open and shut. In fact, criminal defense lawyers and prosecutors alike must often re-educate the public at the beginning of jury trials about what to expect. Authorities do not use super computer to determine the year and make of a motorcycle based upon the sound of exhaust pipes captured on surveillance video.

There are no magic bullets. For the most part, DNA is reserved for very serious crimes like rape and murder. And the wait list for lab work is long. However, state and federal laws that require convicted felons to submit DNA samples to databases continue to lead to arrests in cold cases. As we reported last summer on our L.A. Criminal Defense Blog, the arrest of the Grim Sleeper is the latest high-profile example.

Detectives with the Asian Gang Team report the 45-year-old defendant was arrested for bank fraud back in October. DNA linked him to the August 2009 Diamond Bar home invasion in which a family was attacked, according to authorities. The mother reported waking to find her 7-year-old son bound and gagged with duct tape. Her 17-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son were also overpowered by the intruder. He fled after she stabbed him with a pair of scissors and pushed him down a flight of stairs.

The Los Angeles Times reports authorities obtained a DNA sample that matched the defendant, who lived in the same gated community at the time. He was arrested by the United States Postal Inspection Service in October 2010 on suspicion of bank fraud. He is currently in federal prison in Los Angeles where he awaits sentencing.

Continue reading "Defendant's DNA Linked to Home Invasion while Awaiting Sentencing on Federal Bank Fraud Charges" »

A couple is facing charges of theft from the elderly in Los Angeles after authorities say they stole more than $600,000 from an 85-year-old Laguna Woods woman, NBC News reported.

A Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer experienced in handling financial crimes will need to represent the defendants in this case. These are complex crimes. Allegations are often unfounded. Frequently siblings or other relatives are involved. And the criminal consequences can be severe. Too often, these crimes also involve defendants who are unfamiliar with the criminal justice system. In such cases, they sometimes cooperate with authorities, or give statements, in the hopes of talking their way out of being charged. This is almost always a mistake. We believe your best bet is to remain silent and speak to a qualified defense attorney as early as possible in an investigation.

In this case, the 57-year-old defendant from Laguna Niguel is facing two felony counts of accessory after the fact and receiving stolen property, as well as one count of second-degree burglary. His 51-year-old wife is charged with a felony count of caretaker theft from an elder, 34 counts of fraudulent use of a credit card, 24 felony forgery counts and a first-degree felony burglary charge.

She also is facing sentencing enhancements for loss of more than $150,000, white-collar crime of more than $500,000 and property loss of more than $200,000. Both have pleaded not guilty and are being held on $610,000 bail.

Investigators displayed more than 100 pieces of jewelry and believe there might be more victims. The female defendant is accused of using stolen money on Lasik eye surgery, private schools for her children, travel and personal items. She allegedly spent more than $20,000 caring for her dog.

Continue reading "Couple faces charges of theft from the elderly in Los Angeles" »

A former city schools secretary pleaded guilty to a charge of misappropriation of funds in exchange for the dismissal of eight other charges of forgery and embezzlement in Los Angeles, the Daily Breeze reported.

In such cases, it's important to select a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney experienced in handling fraud, embezzlement and other white-collar criminal allegations. Financial crimes can be very complex, especially in cases where multiple parties had access to accounts, debit or credit cards or checkbooks. Additionally, as this case illustrates, defendants are frequently overcharged by prosecutors and a thorough review and tough negotiations can frequently result in charges being drastically reduced or even dismissed.

The 47-year-old administrative assistant at Halldale Avenue Elementary School was arrested last October and charged with felony misappropriation of public funds. Authorities allege she was given control of two school accounts shortly after accepting the position in 2005. She also was named treasurer of the PTA and had access to that account, according to the district attorney's office.

The prosecutor assigned to the case indicated he will ask the judge to order the defendant to pay more than $100,000 in restitution. In exchange for the guilty plea, eight other counts of embezzlement and forgery were dropped.

The Los Angeles Times reports the former school employee was sentenced to two years in prison. The Times reports she had also been charged with forging signatures on more than 100 checks by using the names of two principals and two PTA officials.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Fraud and Embezzlement Charges Dropped in Plea Deal with Prosecutors" »

The operators of two talent service companies are facing fraud charges in Los Angeles after authorities allege the companies violated the state's talent scam prevention law, according to the L.A. Times.

The allegations have been levied against the operator of Hollywood Stars Management and VIP Talent Web, as well as the operator of ActorsOnSet.com. It is the latest move to crackdown on talent management and services companies. Each face more than a dozen charges, including charging advanced fees to actors, not posting a $50,000 bond, and failure to provide artists with written contracts and the required disclosures. Other charges include grand theft and false advertising. The case resulted from complaints filed by actors. In all, more than two dozen complaints were filed.

A Los Angeles criminal defense attorney should always handle allegations of fraud or other white-collar criminal allegations. If convicted, the defendants face 7 to 13.5 years in prison and more than $150,000 in fines. They are scheduled to be arraigned later this month in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

One of the operators called the charges "baseless" and said his fees and practices are legal, according to The Times.

The companies are the first to be charged under the Krekorian Talent Scam Prevention Acto of 2009, which prohibits agents, managers and other talent representatives from charging actors fees other than commissions.

Continue reading "Talent companies facing charges of theft and fraud in Los Angeles " »

Two former tech executives are facing federal fraud charges in Los Angeles after a federal grand jury indicted them on charges of defrauding investors, overstating revenue and manipulating stock options, the L.A. Times reported.

These charges, and charges involving real estate fraud in Southern California, have become commonplace since the economic downturn. In many cases, investors made bad investments and are now looking for someone to blame. Often, executives did the best they could or knew nothing of alleged fraud, and yet are still being targeted with allegations of white collar crime by federal investigators. A federal criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles should have significant experience in accounting and defending financial crimes to represent clients in such cases. Frequently investigators and prosecutors have rushed to judgment and often they have not done due diligence in ensuring that they understand the complex nature of corporate financing and the various investment vehicles used by start-up companies.

In this case, the former Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Vice President of Vitesse Semiconductor Corp. have pleaded not guilty to the charges and have been released on bond. They face charges of securities fraud, falsifying corporate records and conspiracy. The CEO also faces charges of falsely certifying financial reports and of lying to auditors. Two other executives have pleaded guilty and are reportedly cooperating with the government.

The allegations at Vitesse marked one of the earliest cases of companies backdating options to buy stocks on days when shares were trading at a low point -- making the options worth more to the employees who were receiving them. A similar case was tossed out of court earlier this year when a federal judge found prosecutorial misconduct in a case involving Broadcom Corp, in Irvine.

Continue reading "Investment fraud charges in Los Angeles federal court require experienced defense" »

Two men are facing credit card fraud charges in Riverside County after being accused of using fraudulent credit cards at four casinos, the Orange County Register reported.

The men, ages 42 and 27, were arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of fraud and burglary. Both are on parole and one is reportedly a previously deported felon. They were both being held in Indio Jail. Both men were allegedly recorded withdrawing large amounts of cash at a Rancho Mirage Casino after authorities arrived in response to a call from Nordstrom Visa. Authorities say they were arrested trying to make a cash withdraw at an Indio casino and are believed to have attempted to use the credit cards at two other casinos.

ATMs and the Internet have led to a host of fraud, identity theft, credit card theft and Internet fraud charges in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California. These are often complex criminal cases and should always be handled by a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer experienced with handling financial crimes and criminal cases in federal court.

Police say the men were using cards with their names printed on them and fake account information. Police reportedly found equipment used to make counterfeit cards, along with fake identification, in a search of one of the defendant's houses in San Juan Capistrano.

An experienced defense lawyer may also challenge the legality of such a search. In cases where illegal search and seizure can be proven to have resulted in the collection of evidence, such evidence is frequently thrown out of court. In such cases, a reduction or dismissal of the charges often results.

Continue reading "Los Angeles arrest alleges credit card fraud charges in Southern California" »