Los Angeles Criminal Lawyer Blog

Several news sources including the La Canada Flintridge Patch have reported that identity theft - including Los Angeles identity theft - is growing throughout the nation. In order to combat this growing threat, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department has released several tips on how you can protect yourself from identity theft.

With the growing concern of identity theft comes an increased effort to crack down on accusations of ID theft and prosecuting defendants to the fullest extent of the law. A person convicted of identity theft may face up to 30 years in prison. As a result - if you are targeted as a suspect in an identity theft crack down - it is important to contact an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney to protect your rights and provide you the defense you need.

At the same time, some tips to protect yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft include:
• Accurate use of your personal identification information such as your proper name, Social Security number, credit card number and other financial account information;
• Review you credit report from the three major credit bureaus each year;
• Review you statements and closed unused accounts;
• Don't give away personal information over the phone, mail or internet unless you know who you are dealing with;
• Disconnect your laptop from a broadband or a shared connection
• Don't carry your Social security card or PIN number in your wallet in case you lose it.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Identity Theft Growing In Frequency" »

Former baseball player Lenny Dykstra was arrested this Friday in his Encino home on a suspicion of grand theft for allegedly trying to buy a stolen car. On Thursday, he was charged for allegedly trying to embezzle funds from his bankruptcy estate.

If convicted of these white-collar crimes, Dykstra faces up to 5 years in jail, as well as other potential penalties including fines and probation.

If you are facing any federal or state white-collar crimes, contact an experienced white-collar crimes defense lawyer immediately.

White Collar crimes typically refer to economic and non-violent criminal offense and including a variety of types of fraud including embezzlement, grand theft and identity theft. As has been alleged here, these types of crimes are typically committed to obtain money or property.

Continue reading "Dykstra Arrested For Grand Theft And Federal Bankruptcy Crime" »

Five people, including residents of Los Angeles, Corona, and Oceanside have been found guilty in an LA phishing scheme. The scheme involved using spam e-mails to obtain bank account information from customers. The accused then used this information to transfer money into fraudulent accounts.

The 5 people convicted were found guilty of bank fraud, computer theft and identify fraud. The two men and three women were charged as part of operation "Phish Phry," a U.S.-Egyptian investigation that resulted in charges against 100 people.

If you are facing any California criminal charges or federal criminal charges, contact an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney immediately to begin investigating your case and preparing your defense.

Many times, when numerous people are charged with crimes as the result of a large scale investigation, innocent people are swept up in the arrests, and the prosecution may misperceive the nature and extent of any one individual's involvement.

Continue reading "5 Los Angeles Area Residents Convicted In Identity Theft And Bank Fraud Scheme" »

As the Bell corruption trial got under way this week, many wonder if the man accused of an elaborate embezzlement scheme is really the victim of overzealous prosecution. Robert Rizzo, Bell's former city manager, was paid $1.5 million a year in salary to run the city. He is charged with 50 counts of alleged white-collar crimes including misappropriating public funds, conflict of interest and falsifying public records.

If you have been charged with any California crime, such as fraud or embezzlement, contact an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer immediately to begin investigating the allegations against you and preparing your defense. Sometime what seems like a strong case falls apart after a skilled Los Angeles defense attorney points out flaws and presents alternative explanations.

Here evidence suggests that Rizzo really is a victim - the city council legally approved the salary at the center of the prosecution. As with many criminal prosecutions, as more facts come forward, doubt is raised concerned the illegality of the accused's actions.

Continue reading "Bell Embezzlement Trial Begins" »

The Burbank Leader reports that more than 70 people were charged Wednesday in Los Angeles County in connection with "Operation Power Outage," a federal takedown of an alleged organized crime ring. At least 19 of the suspects lived in Glendale and 6 in Burbank. The individuals arrested were part of the gang "Armenian Power," and were charged with kidnapping, bank fraud, identity theft, extortion and drug trafficking.

If you are facing federal charges, contact an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer at once to protect your rights and begin preparing your defense.

Included in the indictments were allegations that one man installed a credit card skimming devices at 99 Cents Only stores to obtain customer account information and that 2 Glendale residents kidnapped others for ransom. The government takes these charges very seriously - penalties include significant jail time, probation and harsh monetary fines.

Continue reading "Glendale Identity Theft Crackdown Leads To Dozens Of Arrests" »

L.A. Now reports that four people have been arrested on a suspicion of counterfeiting and piracy for selling fake cigarettes. If you have been charged with counterfeiting, money laundering, piracy charges, or any other white collar crime, it is essential to speak to an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer at once. 500 cartons of fake cigarettes were recovered.

Many times white collar crimes involve complex investigations and can be prosecuted as a state of federal crime. Penalties include, but are not limited to, prison or jail sentences, fines, and the loss of professional licenses.

Police also recovered guns, one of which was allegedly stolen in a West Covina burglary. Firearm charges, including possession of a stolen weapon, may lead to enhanced penalties and more serious charges stemming from the counterfeiting arrest.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Fake Cigarette Arrests Lead To Counterfeiting Charges" »

According to the Los Angeles Times, two San Bernardino brothers were charged with over 100 felony counts of white collars crimes in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, as well as Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

White-collar crime is typically defined as "an illegal act characterized by deceit, concealment, or violation of trust." Charges included embezzlement, identity theft, forgery and conspiracy.

Most white-collar crime offenders are ordinary people who make impulsive or poor decisions. One of the brothers pleaded not guilty. His bail was raised from $3 million to $5 million, while the other brother has been hospitalized, and will be arraigned later.

Contradictory stories exist regarding whether the brothers were trying to assist those in need stay our of foreclosure or whether they were involved in fraudulent behavior. Often well-intentioned acts are misinterpreted as deceitful and criminal.

Continue reading "Two Brothers Charged With Alleged Conspiracy And Fraud" »

According to the Los Angeles Times, a man accused of fraud - Timothy Barnett -now faces possible life in prison. While typically reserved for those with a history of violent crime, such as robbery or aggravated assault, the Los Angeles County district attorney is charging Barnett under California's three strikes law.

Barnett is charged with 23 felonies including identity theft and real estate fraud for allegedly tricking 5 people into unknowingly giving him title to their homes. This case represents one of the few times the three-strikes law was used in a case of fraud. Critics are outraged. As stated by a Loyola Law School professor, "This law was intended to deal with serious and violent felons and lock them up forever ... he hasn't killed anybody.""

The three-strikes law has been controversial ever since it passed in 1994 because it allows any felony to count as a third strike, not just violent ones. As a result, if convicted Barnett could face a sentence of 25 years to life in prison for each of the 23 counts.

Continue reading "California Man Accused Of Fraud May Get Life In Prison Under Three-Strikes Law" »