Articles Posted in Fraud

LET’S TALK CRIMINAL GUN ENHANCEMENTS (AB1509) Under California gun laws, a sentence for a felony case can be “enhanced” if a gun was possessed or used during the commission of a crime. These laws can extend sentences well beyond the maximum punishment for the principal crime itself. If there are multiple enhancements or more than…

LA DA GEORGE GASCON CONTINUES TO MAKE WAVES WITH PAROLE CHANGES Since being sworn in as Los Angeles County District Attorney in December 2020, George Gascon has hardly been out of the headlines. From eliminating sentence enhancements for hate crimes and dismissing gang enhancements to removing firearm allegations and continuing to push for resentencing and…

NEW LA COUNTY DA PROMOTING SWEEPING CHANGES (GEORGE GASCON) On December 7, 2020, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon was sworn in as the County’s 43rd District Attorney. Following his defeat of Jackie Lacey, a DA who had built a reputation for a “tough-on-crime” approach, Gascon went straight to work making changes to his…

Facts About Prop 57: “The Public Safety and Rehabilitation Act” of 2016 In November 2016, California voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 57 (64% to 35%) to enhance public safety, stop the revolving door of crime by emphasizing rehabilitation, and prevent Federal Courts from releasing inmates. Under Prop 57, CDCR incentivizes inmates to take responsibility for their…

WHAT IS FRAUD? (UNDERSTANDING AND FIGHTING A FRAUD CASE) Most of us are familiar with terms like “theft” and “forgery” given that they immediately bring to mind the taking of something that does not belong to someone or making a misrepresentation in writing. When we hear the term “fraud”, we are often left confused by…

How Long Can I File A Petition To Resentence Under Prop 47? On November 4, 2014 California voters passed Proposition 47, known as the Criminal Sentences, Misdemeanor Penalties, Initiative Statute. This referendum – also called the Safe Neighborhoods and School Act – recategorized some nonviolent offenses as misdemeanors rather than felonies. These offenses included crimes…

As experienced Los Angeles white collar crime defense attorneys, we know that regardless of career or social standing, anyone can be accused of or indicted for a white collar crime. These offenses are generally those that are financially motivated, and typically do not involve violence. Still, the criminal penalties if convicted are often extremely harsh,…

While certainly not as serious as being indicted for a violent crime, many white collar crimes lead to serious criminal penalties for those convicted. White collar crimes are generally related to financial matters, and involve no violence. Whether you are an accounting clerk in charge of the company petty cash box or in a management…

Roxana Sanchez, a 25-year-old Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department civilian employee, was recently charged with forgery and grand theft, both felony charges. Sanchez pleaded not guilty on Monday October 28. Sanchez worked at the Century Regional Detention Facility as a civilian employee according to Steve Whitmore, a spokesman for the sheriff’s department. Whitmore said that…

On Tuesday August 20, 44-year-old Douglas Ellingson pleaded guilty to defrauding investors of over $2 million, according to the Courthouse News Service. Ellingson, along with two other individuals, James Pantazelos and William Ison, allegedly conspired to defraud investors through Olathe Mining Co., a business owned by Ison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Authorities claim…