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California Jails Receiving More State Prisoners Than Expected

admin — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:48:00 GMT

The number of state prisoners arriving in county jails under California's prison diversion program is much higher than estimated, adding more pressure on sheriff's departments to figure out what to do with thousands of extra inmates. Prisoners convicted of nonviolent crimes began serving their time in county jails last month as California complied with a U.S. Supreme Court decision requiring the state to lower its prison population by 30,000.

However, the number of state prisoners being transferred has been much higher than predicted, prompting counties to speed up efforts to reopen shuttered jail wings and find other arrangements for some inmates. Los Angeles County was projected to add about 600 state prisoners, but has booked more than 900. The number in Orange County is running more than double what was estimated.

Based on initial projections, Orange County officials believed their jail system would reach capacity sometime in 2013, giving them time to find more jail beds. But if the current trend continues, they could reach capacity by May 2012. In Kern County, the jail system was so full to capacity last week that the Sheriff's Department let go 50 parole violators, including thieves, because they had no beds for them.

County jails in California receive extra state funding to help house the prisoners, but there are serious doubts about whether the money will be enough to avoid releasing some inmates. Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca stated he is considering a plan to release some inmates who are awaiting trial after placing ankle electronicmonitors that track their movements. Other counties are considering major expansions of house-arrest programs, as well as putting some nonviolent inmates into mental health and substance abuse programs. The L.A. County Sheriff's Department has received funding to open only an additional 1,800 beds. However, they expect to receive 8,000 state prisoners in 2012.

Some California Counties, like Los Angeles, are under court order preventing jail overcrowding. So they said it's almost a foregone conclusion that some inmates will be released to make way for the state prisoners.

State corrections officials said they hadn't expected the plan known as realignment to be a smooth transition because it is such an unprecedented shift. They acknowledged that their estimates have been off but believe the surge will be short-lived.

State officials believe the higher than projected number of state prisoners being sent to county jails has occurred in part because defense attorneys waited until realignment took effect to settle their cases. By doing so, the criminal defense attorneys were assured that their clients would receive jail time instead of prison time. Many county officials say it's just a matter time before some inmates have to be released.

Riverside County Sheriff' said his jail is now at 93% capacity and will be full by January 2012. In San Bernardino County, they are planning to significantly expands their work-release and electronic monitoring programs because thay are certain that the influx of state prisoners will force some releases.

If you have been arrested for any type of state or federal crime in Los Angeles, or anywhere in the state of California, you will need a qualified criminal defense lawyer to represent you.

At the Goldstein Law Group, we have been successfully defending clients in all Los Angeles county courts for decades. We are well-known for our aggressive defense and protecting our clients' legal rights.

We offer superior legal defense for all types of criminal charges, including drug crimes, domestic violence, marijuana crimes, theft crimes, DUI, federal crimes, and more.

To speak with one of our experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers, you can contact our office anytime, 24/7, for a free case evaluation.

Feds Escalate Efforts to Close California Marijuana Dispensaries

admin — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 16:28:00 GMT

Federal prosecutors are threatening to shut down California medical marijuana dispensaries by sending letters that warn landlords to stop sales of the drug within 45 days or face the possibility that their property will be seized and they will be charged with a crime.

The increased enforcement escalates the Obama administration's efforts to rein in the spread of marijuana stores, which accelerated after the attorney general announced in 2009 that federal prosecutors would not target people using medical marijuana in states that allow it. The initiative is lead by the four U.S. attorneys in the state and will focus on marijuana dispensaries selected by the prosecutors.

Landlords for some marijuana dispensaries have already received letters, including the owner of the Marin Alliance for Medical Marijuana in Fairfax, Calififornia, which is the oldest dispensary in the country. The letter notes that the dispensary is within a prohibited distance of a park, raising the possibility that enforcement will zero in on stores within 1,000 feet of schools and playgrounds, a distance that can bring enhanced penalties for illegal drug sales. The source of this information said the prosecutor would not initially focus on marijuana dispensaries in Los Angeles.

The administration has also increased pressure on marijuana dispensaries by demanding back taxes and penalties after audits disqualified deductions for business expenses. The Federal Government is also pressuring banks to close accounts belonging to owners of marijuana dispensaries and telling firearms dealers they cannot sell to medical marijuana patients.

Although California was the first state to decriminalize marijuana for medical use in 1996, it remains a federal crime to possess or sell it, and the tension between state and federal laws continues to play out.

The Bush administration sent similar letters to landlords who rented to dispensaries in 2007. In Los Angeles, many marijuana dispensaries were forced from their locations, but most simply found new ones. Marijuana activists believes the government does not have the money or staff to force the dispensaries to close.

If you have been arrested for possession or cultivation of marijuana, even if it was for medicinal purposes, you will need to consult with an experienced Los Angeles marijuana criminal attorney. If found guilty, you will be facing the same consequences you would face for growing, cultivating, or possessing marijuana illegally.

At the Goldstein Law Group, we will provide you with the aggressive defense you need to fight your medical marijuana charges. With have decades of experience and a solid understanding medical marijuana laws in Los Angeles and throughout California. We have developed effective negotiation tactics for fighting medical marijuana charges.

If you have been charged with a criminal offense related to medical marijuana, you could be facing a conviction for a drug crime that will adversly affect your life for many years. Our Los Angeles medical marijuana lawyers can help you fight these charges. Call our office for a free case evaluation.

Drunk Driver Who Killed Angels Pitcher Gets 51 Years to Life in Prison

admin — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 20:11:00 GMT

After two hours of wrenching, tear-filled pleas for both maximum justice and mercy, the man convicted of murder in the drunk-driving crash that killed Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two friends was sentenced to 51 years to life in prison by an Orange County, California judge. Andrew Thomas Gallo, will be eligible for parole after serving 49 years.

The judge gave prosecutors what they sought: consecutive sentences on three second-degree murder charges and other felonies stemming from the April 2009 crash that killed Adenhart, 22, and friends Courtney Stewart, 20, and Henry Pearson, 25. Jon Wilhite, 24, survived the crash but sustained major injuries.

On the night Adenhart pitched six scoreless innings, Gallo was out drinking with his stepbrother. Just past midnight, he barreled through a red light in Fullerton at 65 mph and rammed his minivan into a vehicle carrying the four friends. Gallo fled on foot and was captured two miles from the scene. His blood-alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit more than two hours after the crash.

"Not only was he driving under the influence, he was obliterated," the judge said, noting that Gallo was on probation at the time for an earlier drunk driving conviction. "Mr. Gallo, you have devastated four families, really five families with your own."

Speaking one by one, the families left no doubt of that. "I've had to do things a father should never have to do," said a distraught Chris Stewart, whose daughter Courtney was a student at Cal State Fullerton. "Do you bury your kid or cremate her? Do you donate her organs and her eyes? To carry her casket." He was followed by Courtney Stewart's mother, who addressed Gallo directly. "Andrew Gallo, the night you killed my daughter you killed me," Carrie Stewart-Dixon said. "I will never be the same."

The Adenhart family did not attend the trial but sent a letter to the judge that was read aloud. "There is no justice as long as Mr. Gallo is drawing a breath," it read. Elizabeth Wilhite told of her son Jon's near death and excruciating road to recovery, six weeks in the hospital, surgery to reconnect his skull to his spine using bone from his pelvis, months of painful rehabilitation. "He had to learn to talk, swallow and eat. He worked so hard to get back to normal," she said. "Mr. Gallo, you put my son through hell.... I hope you enjoy your new address."

If you have been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), you need someone representing you who has a thorough understanding of California DUI law, as well as extensive experience defending people against DUI charges. At Goldstein Law Group, DUI lawyers Michael A. Goldstein and James A. Goldstein have been successfully defending clients charged with DUI for decades. When you retain our services, you can feel confident knowing your case will be handled by an experienced Los Angeles DUI attorney who is not afraid to stand up to the prosecution and zealously fight your charges. We are committed to doing whatever we can to get your charges reduced or dismissed. In the event that your case moves to trial, we will vigorously defend you in court, and fight hard to ensure you are not found guilty. Call our office for a free consultation.

Man Pleads Guilty to Participating in International Child Pornography Ring

admin — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 21:07:00 GMT

A Georgia man pled guilty in Los Angeles to transporting child pornography using a secret Internet bulletin board that allowed approximately three dozen members to trade thousands of images and videos of child pornography depicting young boys in sexually explicit situations. The guilty plea by David Michael Fagerness is the result of an international investigation into the “Lost Boy” online bulletin board. Federal authorities, working in conjunction with a coalition of international law enforcement agencies, shut down the Lost Boy bulletin board approximately two years ago.

As a result of the investigation, 16 named defendants have been charged in the United States for their roles in the ring. To date, five defendants have pleaded guilty for their roles, and an additional two defendants have agreed to plead guilty. An additional eight defendants who are alleged to be Lost Boy members currently face federal charges, including engaging in a child exploitation enterprise, a crime that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison.

“Through unprecedented cooperation with foreign law enforcement partners, we have brought down a global online group whose principal purpose was to victimize children,” said Assistant Attorney General Breuer. “The members of the Lost Boy bulletin board used sophisticated vetting procedures to facilitate the sexual abuse of children and enable its users to produce and share child pornography, while also developing a handbook on how to groom potential victims. We are committed to pursuing these perpetrators wherever they are through international investigations and prosecutions like the one we are highlighting today.”

“The Lost Boy bulletin board allowed members to access pornographic images of hundreds of boys who were victimized for sexual purposes,” said United States Attorney André Birotte Jr. “The investigation by officials here in the United States, working in conjunction with their law enforcement counterparts around the globe, shut down an international child pornography ring and will hopefully bring some justice to the numerous victims. As a result of this investigation, authorities also discovered individuals who abused children, made their own child pornography, and shared their disturbing product with others on the Internet.”

“The Lost Boy case represents a global subculture that exists for the purpose of trading of child pornography and other tools used to sexually exploit children,” said Steven Martinez, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI in Los Angeles. “The FBI and our partners in Los Angeles and globally will continue to work together to identify these networks and to pursue charges against those who abuse children.”

Fagerness, pled guilty in United States District Court in Los Angeles to conspiracy to transport child pornography. Fagerness, of the Atlanta area, relocated to the Czech Republic after being convicted of possessing child pornography in Florida state court in 2005. Fagerness faces a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence.

In addition to Fagerness, four individuals have previously pleaded guilty for their roles in Lost Boy. Andrew Neil Scott, 30, of Flint, Mich., pleaded guilty to one count of participating in a child pornography enterprise and two counts of producing child pornography. According to court documents, Scott admitted to participating in Lost Boy, as well as to molesting two boys and producing child pornography. In his plea agreement, Scott agreed to be sentenced to at least 25 years in prison and to a maximum of 30 years in prison. Anthony Jasso, of Laguna Beach and Redlands, California, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to advertise child pornography, a charge that carries a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence. Court documents describe Jasso as belonging to a southern California club called “Boy Lovers,” whose members gathered to watch child erotica and to attend events involving children. Justin Lee, of Phoenix, Arizona, pleaded guilty in to transporting child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison. Woodrow Tracy, of Sun Valley, Calif., pleaded guilty in September 2010.

According to court documents, law enforcement authorities discovered the Lost Boy bulletin board after receiving information from Eurojust, the judicial cooperation arm of the European Union. Eurojust provided U.S. law enforcement with leads obtained from Norwegian and Italian authorities indicating that a North Hollywood, California, man was communicating with an Italian national about child pornography and how to engage in child sex tourism in Romania. Acting on the information from Europe, the FBI executed search warrants that led to the discovery of the Lost Boy network. According to court documents, further investigation revealed that Lost Boy had 35 members, 15 of whom were U.S. nationals. Other members of the network were located in countries around the world, including Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, and New Zealand.

The Lost Boy bulletin board, according to court documents, was dedicated to men who have a sexual interest in young boys and was established to provide a forum to trade child pornography. Lost Boy is alleged to have had a thorough vetting process for new members, most of whom had to post child pornography to join the organization. Once accepted, members had to continue to post child pornography to remain in good standing and not be removed from the board. According to court documents, Lost Boy members advised each other on techniques to evade detection by law enforcement, which included using screen names to mask identities.

Court documents show that the Lost Boy bulletin board had a forum called the “Handbook Project,” where members read and contributed to a grooming handbook, which was a guide for adult men on how to find and groom boys into engaging in sex, how to deal with physical aspects of sexual contact, and how to move on to other victims when the current victim grows too old to be attractive.

Through the Lost Boy investigation and related investigations, law enforcement authorities in the United States identified and arrested 15 alleged Lost Boy members, as well as approximately six more men who have been charged with child molestation. The investigation also led to the identification of 27 domestic victims of child abuse, some of whom were portrayed in images posted to the Lost Boy bulletin board.

International law enforcement efforts involving European law enforcement, the Brazilian Federal Police, and other agencies have identified child molestation suspects in South America, Europe, and New Zealand. Three suspects in Romania, one in France, and another in Brazil have been charged, and offenders have been convicted in Norway and the United Kingdom. Law enforcement efforts have also identified dozens of child victims located in Norway, Romania, Brazil, and other nations.

The investigation into the Lost Boy bulletin board is an ongoing effort by the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, in conjunction with the Los Angeles-based Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Team. The High Technology Investigative Unit of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), along with Eurojust, have provided invaluable assistance during the investigation. The SAFE Team in Los Angeles is comprised of the FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, the California Highway Patrol, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the California Department of Justice, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the Los Angeles Police Department.

If you have been charged or under investigation for child pornography in California, including Sacramento, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, Ventura County, and Orange County, you need immediate assistance from an experienced child pornography criminal defense lawyer. Any accusation of involvement in a sex crime can ruin you reputation. At Goldstein Law Group, we are Los Angeles child pornography criminal defense lawyers who have succesfully defended clients against sex crimes for decades. Come to our office and let's talk about your criminal charges. You can feel confident that your case will be handled by a skilled federal child pornography criminal defense attorney who is committed to exhausting all possible measures to defend you.

Don’t put your freedom in jeopardy. Contact a Los Angeles child pornography attorney at Goldstein Law Group to learn how we can defend you against your charges! All consultations are free, available 24/7, and strictly confidential.

Police Charge Man in North Hollywood Sexual Assault Case

admin — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 21:03:00 GMT

A man wanted in connection with the sexual assault of a woman in North Hollywood, California in March was charged with rape, while police sought other possible victims.

Louis Robert Mercado, of North Hollywood, allegedly followed a 37-year-old woman for several blocks along Lankershim Boulevard before pulling her into a nearby parking lot at about 12:45 a.m. on March 11, according to Los Angeles police. Mercado allegedly ordered the woman to undress and sexually assaulted her in the 6900 block of Lankershim Boulevard before fleeing, according to Detective Gretchen Zavala.

He was arrested near his home and charged with rape, kidnap for rape and rape in concert with force. He was being held on $1.6 million bail at Valley Jail. Detectives believe Mercado could be involved in other similar attacks throughout the North Hollywood Area, specifically the Lankershim Boulevard Corridor.

If you have been arrested or under investigation for sexual assault in Los Angeles county or San Fernando Valley, you will need to consult a qualified rape and sexual assault criminal defense lawyer. Once you have been accused of a sexual crime, your reputation is at stake. At Goldstein Law Group, we are Los Angeles sexual assault & rape criminal defense attorneys who have defended clients all types of sex crimes for decades. We are always committed to defending your rights and fighting your sex crime charges with determination. Sit down with us to discuss your charges with an experienced and skilled Los Angeles sex crimes criminal defense lawyer who will explore all possible measures to ensure you are not convicted of your statutory rape charges.

Your freedom is in jeopardy. Contact a Los Angeles rape lawyer at Goldstein Law Group to learn how we can assist you against your charges! All consultations are free, available 24/7, and strictly confidential.

West Covina, California Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Investment Fraud Ponzi Scheme

admin — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 20:50:00 GMT

A West Covina, California man was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison for running an investment fraud scheme that took in almost $4 million from more than 100 victims who were lured to the scheme with promises of “guaranteed” annual interest rates up to 120 percent. Ruben Gonzalez, a Mexican national, was sentenced by a United States District Judge. In addition to the 11¼-year prison sentence, the judge ordered $2,220,771 in restitution to his 107 victims. Gonzalez was arrested on October 23, 2009, on immigration charges after special agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant at his business, New Golden Investments Group, or NGI Group, in West Covina.

Gonzalez was indicted in May, and on September 17 he pled guilty to one count of mail fraud, one count of money laundering, and one count of misuse of a Social Security number. Gonzalez admitted that he advertised his investment program in Spanish language newspapers and on radio stations, guaranteeing returns up to 120 percent per year. Gonzalez told victims that their money would be used to invest in commodities like gold and silver, real estate developments, and a gold mine in Mexico. Gonzalez further admitted that most of the investors’ money was used to make Ponzi payments to lure additional investors, and that Gonzalez took well over $400,000 for his own personal benefit.

At Gonzalez’s sentencing, the judge heard from several victims of the Ponzi scheme, including the mother of a disabled child who was defrauded out of nearly $300,000 that came from a medical malpractice award and was supposed to be used for the future care of her child. The victim said that Gonzalez claimed she would make enough money from the investment to pay for “the best medical care in the world” for her child and that she would one day see her child walk as a result of the profits she would make from her investment. The court also heard from an 81-year-old widow who lost more than $40,000 and who told the judge that she is forced to continue to work as a result of the losses caused by Gonzalez.

The case against Gonzalez was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Social Security Administration-Office of Inspector General, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The investigation received assistance from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

If you are facing federal criminal charges, our attorneys have a long history of success in all United States Central District of California Courts. It’s important that you call a skilled federal criminal defense lawyer immediately. At Goldstein Law Group, attorneys Michael A. Goldstein and James A. Goldstein have decades of experience in federal criminal cases. When you visit our office, you will speak to an experienced Los Angeles and United States federal criminal defense attorney who will explain your best legal options.

For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your federal criminal charges with a dedicated attorney, please contact Goldstein Law Group today.

Pharmacy Owners Pays $175,000 to Settle Claims Under the Controlled Substances Act

admin — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 20:35:00 GMT

In Sacramento, California, a United States Attorney announced that Ronald T. Lim, of Redding, has paid $175,000 to settle the government’s claims for civil statutory violations occurring at his three pharmacies: Lim’s Family Pharmacy, in Redding; Susanville Family Pharmacy, in Susanville; and Lim’s Shasta Lake Pharmacy, in Shasta Lake.

The Controlled Substances Act authorizes the Drug Enforcement Administration to regulate controlled substances to create a “closed” system of distribution that provides the legitimate drug industry with a unified approach to narcotic and dangerous drug control. The CSA establishes a classification system for all controlled substances, including prescription medications, based upon the potential for abuse, dependence profile, and medicinal value of the drugs. The CSA requires pharmacies to maintain certain records and inventories of these controlled substances to allow the DEA to protect the distribution system, and to prevent drug diversion and abuse. The government contends that Lim’s Family Pharmacy and Susanville Family Pharmacy violated the CSA by failing to maintain certain records and failing to accurately record certain transactions involving controlled substances. In addition, audits of the pharmacies’ inventories demonstrated shortages of several controlled substances, along with overages of several others.

The False Claims Act allows the United States to recover damages and penalties for fraud. The government contends that Ronald Lim submitted or caused to be submitted claims for payment to the Medicare Program and the California Medicaid Program, in violation of the False Claims by billing for certain drugs that were not dispensed to beneficiaries; instead of reimbursing the government, Lim kept the monies and returned the subject drugs to inventory.

In addition to the monetary payment, the settlement requires the three pharmacies to engage in certain record keeping and return to stock compliance measures, including: to maintain a real-time inventory using a perpetual inventory log for all Schedule II drugs; to run a daily computer inventory report for all Schedule II drugs dispensed on every business day to compare with the perpetual inventory log on each day; to reimburse all federal health care programs within three weeks for any and all drugs billed but ultimately not dispensed; and to designate a DEA Compliance Officer who will confirm reimbursement for drugs that are not dispensed and perform a quarterly audit of 50 individual drugs that were dispensed but not picked up to assure that the subject federal health care program was refunded for the drug.

This settlement is the product of a joint investigation by the DEA Sacramento Diversion Group, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

If you have been charged with a federal crime such as violations of the controlled substances act or false claims act, it's very important that you contact a Los Angeles controlled substances criminal defense attorney immediately. Attorneys Michael A. Goldstein and James A. Goldstein have decades of experience in defending individuals charged with federal prescription drug & controlled substance violations. We have successfully defended hundreds of clients in all Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, Van Nuys, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Glendale and Ventura County courthouses.

Goldstein Law Group is a Los Angeles criminal defense law firm that has been built on client loyalty and referral since 1975. We strongly believe in personal attention to our clients. To discuss your prescription drug criminal charges with one of our attorneys, please contact us at (818) 905-7272. All consultation are free and confidential.

Granada Hills Teacher Arrested for Having Sex with Minor Student

admin — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 18:54:00 GMT

In Granada Hills, California, a teacher at Hillcrest Christian School has been arrested for having sex several times with a high school student and police said he might have abused other students of the private campus. Acting on a tip from a parent, police arrested Mark Stephen Hubbard, who is also the athletic director at the Granada Hills K-12 school, for sex crimes against an underage female student.

"It's been going on since the start of this year," Los Angeles police Detective Michael Brox said during a news conference at Devonshire Division. "There were multiple sex acts and sexual contact. "There is a chance ... that there may be other (victims)." Hubbard, who is free after posting $100,000 bail, could not be reached for comment.

Hubbard was arrested after a parent notified authorities of an ongoing sexual relationship between the girl and the teacher, police said. While police declined to give the victim's age, Hillcrest secondary school students range from 14 to 17. He was booked for "multiple sex crime charges" with a minor, according to police.

"It is with great sadness that we recently learned of the situation involving one of our staff members and the secondary school student," said Hillcrest Secondary Principal Lance Haliday, reading a pre-prepared statement to the press.

"The school acted swiftly in responding, and would like to assure our school (family) and the community that no student is at risk. The safety and well-being of our students is, and will remain, our No. 1 priority."

Hubbard had worked at Hillcrest Christian School for eight years, serving as its K-12 athletic director, secondary school health teacher and assistant coach for the boys basketball and baseball teams. Hillcrest Christian School, founded in 1976, is a spin-off of Hillcrest Christian Church, with an emphasis throughout its curricula on the Bible, according to its website. Tuition for high school students runs about $7,000 a year. By late afternoon, all references to Hubbard were being removed from the Hillcrest Christian website.

If you have been charged or under investigation for a sex crime with a minor in Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley or Ventura County, you need to consult an experienced sex crime criminal lawyer. Any accusation of involvement in a sex crime with a minor can ruin you reputation. At Goldstein Law Group, we are Los Angeles sex crime with minor criminal defense lawyers who have succesfully defended hundreds of clients against sex crimes for many years. Come sit down and talk with us and you will be assured that your case will be handled by a very experienced and skilled Los Angeles sex crime with minor criminal lawyer who is committed to exhausting all possible measures to defend you.

Don’t put your freedom in jeopardy. Contact a Los Angeles sex crime criminal defense lawyer at Goldstein Law Group to learn how we can defend you against your charges! All consultations are free, available 24/7, and strictly confidential.

Payroll Services Company Official Pleads Guilty to Federal Wire Fraud Scheme

admin — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 18:55:00 GMT

In Sacramento, California, a United States Attorney announced that Kerry Seaman, of Lake Ronkoukoma, New York, pleaded guilty in connection with a scheme to divert more than $20 million from Sacramento County as well as two other businesses: SanDisk Corporation (SanDisk) and The Stanley Works and Stanley Solutions Inc. (Stanley). She entered her guilty plea before a United States District. Co-defendant and CEO Albert Cipoletti entered a guilty plea to the fraud. This case is the product of an extensive investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation. The County of Sacramento reported the offense to federal law enforcement and has assisted with the investigation.

According to court documents, Seaman was the comptroller of Ingentra HR Services Inc. (Ingentra), a payroll services corporation in Hauppauge, N.Y. Ingentra, then known as Humanic Solutions Inc., was hired by Sacramento County in late 2004 to process the payrolls for Sacramento County’s Special Districts (including the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, the cemetery district, the parks and recreation district, independent contractors, and various elected officials). As part of the payroll services, Ingentra calculated the tax payments for the clients and the clients’ employees and then transmitted the payments to the state and federal tax authorities. Ingentra was responsible for paying the income tax withholdings to the IRS and to file the Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Form (Form 941) with the IRS on behalf of the clients. (Form 941 includes totals for number of employees, total pay for the period being reported, and amounts withheld from the pay of the employees.)

As stated in the plea agreement, from 2005 until April 2010, Seaman and co-defendant Cipoletti, Chief Executive Officer for Ingentra, devised a scheme to defraud the County of Sacramento - Special Districts, SanDisk, and Stanley of the tax withholdings intended to be payed to the IRS by collecting the correct amount from the clients but underreporting to the IRS the amount owed and diverting the difference to Ingentra’s operating account for its own use.

According to the plea agreement, Seaman and Cipoletti sent funding letters to the clients that correctly calculated payroll and federal tax withholdings for the clients’ employees, and these clients wire transferred funds to Ingentra for the purposes of paying both the payroll and taxes. Seaman and Cipoletti then filed false 941s to the IRS, understating the true employee tax withholdings for these clients. Seaman and Cipoletti then wrongfully diverted in excess of $20 million in tax withholdings from clients Stanley, SanDisk, and Sacramento County that should have been remitted to the IRS on behalf of these clients and these clients’ employees.

The maximum statutory penalty for this wire fraud violation is 20 years in prison and a fine of up to approximately $35 million. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

Federal crimes are some of the most serious crimes you may be charged with. Involving more severe offenses than other charges, you can expect the investigation of these crimes by the prosecution to be extensive and very thorough. Many times these crimes can involve investigation by federal authorities, such as the FBI and other federal agencies. This results in sentencing guidelines that will require much harsher penalties than a state or local charge. When facing this type of charge, consult with a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney to assist you with a strong defense against any pending action against you.

At Goldstein Law Group, attorneys Michael A. Goldstein and James A. Goldstein have over four decades of experience in wire fraud and other federal criminal charges, and have successfully defended many individuals in all Los Angeles Superior Courts. When you visit our offices, you will meet with an experienced Los Angeles federal wire fraud criminal defense lawyer who will explain your legal rights. Contact our office today for a free, strictly confidential, consultation.

Celebrity DJ Among 14 Indicted in Cocaine Distribution Ring

admin — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 17:21:00 GMT

A celebrity disc jockey and the heads of an entertainment company were among 14 people indicted in a cocaine ring where private jets were used to shuttle large amounts of the drug from Southern California to Baltimore. Police said that the ring smuggled hundreds of pounds of cocaine via private jets between May and November. They seized nearly 300 kilograms of cocaine and $1.1 million.

Among those facing drug trafficking and money laundering charges is Darrin Ebron, who runs Goodlife American Clothing and was the DJ at Eddie Murphy's 2008 nuptials in Bora Bora. Also indicted were Ricky Brascom, and Charles Ransom Jr., both of Los Angeles and who are co-chief executive officers of Behind da Scenes Entertainment, whose main artist is rapper Paypa.

Ebron and three others were being sought by investigators, while Brascom and his older brother were among those arrested this month. Brascom and the others are scheduled to be arraigned in court. If convicted, each of the defendants could face up to life in prison.

Investigators used wiretaps to track the shipments that didn't slow down despite the discovery of nearly 50 kilograms of cocaine aboard a plane during a refueling stop in September. "It's amazing what greed will do to you," said Assistant United States Attorney Rob Villeza. "They knew something was going on, but the next day they were doing it again. They were not prepared to stop."

Brascom was the ring's leader, while Ransom shipped cocaine to his own distributors in Baltimore. One of the people suspected of farming out the cocaine in Baltimore was Ebron, who says on his website that his clientele included Usher, Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake and Kanye West.

Villeza said chartered flights, which can cost between $20,000 and $50,000, are useful to drug runners because the planes aren't subject to inspection. "You can drive up to the plane and load up your cargo," he said.

The supplier was Heriberto Lopez, of Los Angeles, who also was indicted and most likely was getting the cocaine from Mexico. Villeza wouldn't comment on whether Lopez was tied to any of the violent Mexican drug cartels. The money from the drug proceeds, which was brought back to Los Angeles on commercial flights, was used to pay Lopez and to fund a lavish lifestyle. Brascom lived in an 11,000 square-foot home in a gated community near the rapper Dr. Dre in the San Fernando Valley and owned at least one Aston Martin car.

If you have been charged or under investigation for cocaine distribution, it’s crucial that you obtain a Los Angeles cocaine and drug distribution criminal defense lawyer immediately. The state or federal prosecutor will pursue your cocaine distribution drug charges aggressively and will seek strict penalties that could incarcerate you in prison.

At Goldstein Law Group, we have over four decades of experience in drug distribution criminal defense, and have successfully defended many individuals in all Los Angeles Superior Courts. When you visit our offices, you will meet with an experienced Los Angeles cocaine distribution lawyer who will explain your rights and your best legal options. Contact our office today for a free, strictly confidential, consultation.

8 San Fernando Valley Gang Leaders Indicted by Grand Jury for Extortion

admin — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 18:40:00 GMT

A grand jury indictment was unsealed against eight alleged leaders of the Canoga Park Alabama street gang, who face conspiracy and extortion charges that could send them to prison for life. The defendants are identified in an 11-count state grand jury indictment unsealed by a Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge after a joint Los Angeles Police Department-federal probe of one of the San Fernando Valley's most notorious gangs.

Six of the alleged gang members were arrested by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Los Angeles Police Department while two defendants were already in custody on unrelated charges. Prosecutors said the indictment is the culmination of a nearly two-year multi-agency investigation focusing on the Canoga Park Alabama gang's suspected involvement in extortion.

The indictment alleges that between Oct. 1, 2009, and Oct. 31, 2010, the defendants demanded and collected so-called street "taxes" from narcotics dealers in return for allowing those dealers to operate on the gang's turf. Because the offenses allegedly were committed with the intention of benefiting a criminal street gang, prosecutors in the Los Angeles County district attorney's office are seeking a "gang enhancement," making the defendants subject to a maximum penalty of life in prison if they are convicted.

LAPD Deputy Chief Kirk J. Albanese said Canoga Park Alabama has been involved in violent and hate-based crimes in the San Fernando Valley for many years. "As a result of their criminal activity, the community has lived in fear for far too long," he said. "The hate-based criminal activities that have become a staple for this gang will never be tolerated. These arrests will mark the beginning of the end for this violent criminal street gang." Each of the defendants is being held in lieu of $1-million bail after entering not-guilty pleas.

If you have been charged or under investigation for extortion, it’s important that you consult a Los Angeles extortion criminal defense lawyer immediately. The state prosecutor will pursue your conspiracy or extortion criminal charges aggressively and will seek strict penalties that could incarcerate you in prison.

At Goldstein Law Group, criminal defense lawyers Michael A. Goldstein and James A. Goldstein have four decades of experience in extortion and conspiracy charges, and have successfully defended many individuals in all Los Angeles County Superior Courts. When you visit our offices, you will meet with an experienced Los Angeles extortion criminal lawyer who will explain your rights and your best legal options. Contact our office today for a free, strictly confidential, consultation.

Man Sentenced to Prison in Prescription Drug Scheme in Los Angeles

admin — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:52:00 GMT

A man who prosecutors say made millions of dollars from a prescription drug scam in which he recruited destitute people with HIV to serve as straw patients was sentenced to eight years in prison by a federal judge in Los Angeles. Prosecutors accused Nathaniel Newhouse and his longtime girlfriend of laundering his illicit drug income by claiming $3 million in gambling winnings, then writing off that same amount in gambling losses and other tax deductions.

Despite his conviction on drug possession and conspiracy charges in May, Newhouse, told a United States District Judge that he was trying to help people by ferrying them to pharmacies to pick up prescriptions such as OxyContin, a powerful pain reliever likened to heroin that can sell for as much as $80 a pill on the black market.

Newhouse was arrested two years ago after a surveillance operation in which he was caught with 29 bottles of highly addictive painkillers that had been prescribed to other people. The drugs, which included OxyContin and Dilaudid, are popular on the black market and had a street value of $40,000 to $80,000.

Prosecutors told jurors that Newhouse arranged for the HIV patients to meet with conspiring doctors who prescribed the drugs even though the patients did not need them. The patients, who had Medicare or Medi-Cal insurance, were charged only a couple of dollars for a bottle of OxyContin, but the insurers were billed nearly $1,000.

Newhouse would pay the patients $300 per trip to the pharmacy but planned to sell the drugs they obtained for many times that amount. In court papers, they accused him of operating a "mobile pharmacy" out of the trunks of multiple cars he either owned or rented. Two of the recruited patients were granted immunity by prosecutors and testified against him at trial.

Though Newhouse was not charged with money laundering, he tried to hide the source of his drug income by using drug money to buy chips at Hollywood Park Casino from bribed employees who would not record the transactions. Newhouse would then turn in the chips and claim the money as winnings. Newhouse was eventually banned from the casino because of the alleged practice, according to court papers filed by prosecutors. Ayala also argued for a more lenient sentence than the 10 years prosecutors were seeking based on the notion that Newhouse did not organize the scheme, which allegedly involved at least two doctors who have not been charged.

If you have been charge or under investigation for a prescription drug scheme, it’s critical that you consult a Los Angeles prescription drug scheme criminal defense attorney immediately. The state or federal prosecutor will pursue your fraudulent prescription drug scheme charges aggressively and will seek strict penalties that could incarcerate you in prison.

At Goldstein Law Group, criminal defense lawyers Michael A. Goldstein and James A. Goldstein have four decades of experience in unlawful prescription drug crimes, and have successfully defended many individuals in all Los Angeles County Superior Courts. When you visit our offices, you will meet with an experienced Los Angeles prescription drug scheme lawyer who will explain your rights and your best legal options. Contact our office today for a free, strictly confidential, consultation.

Sacramento Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Sex Trafficking of a Minor

admin — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 16:56:00 GMT

In Sacramento, California, a United States Attorney announced that United States District Judge Frank C. Damrell sentenced Marvin Chavelle Epps, of Sacramento, to 12 years and seven months in federal prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release for the sex trafficking of a minor in interstate commerce. Epps will be required to register as a sex offender and adhere to numerous other conditions while on supervised release.

On April 12, 2010, Epps pleaded guilty to one count of sex trafficking of a minor girl who was 16 at the time she worked for him as a prostitute. According to court documents, Epps first contacted the girl on the social networking site Myspace. During his Internet communications with her, he promoted himself as a pimp and encouraged the girl to travel from her home in Solano County to Sacramento where she could work for him. After she traveled to Sacramento, the girl worked for Epps for approximately three weeks in October 2008. Evidence revealed Epps used websites to advertise the girl and to solicit sex dates for her from a north Sacramento motel.

This case was the product of an extensive investigation by the FBI’s Innocence Lost Task Force, a task force composed of Sacramento City Police detectives and FBI special agents targeting child prostitution in the greater Sacramento area. Assistant United States Attorney Laurel D. White prosecuted the case.

If you have been charged or under investigation for sex trafficking of a minor in Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley or Ventura County, you need to obtain the services of an experienced sex trafficking criminal defense lawyer. Any accusation of involvement in a sex crime can ruin you reputation. At Goldstein Law Group, attorneys Michael A. Goldstein and James A. Goldstein are Los Angeles sex trafficking criminal defense attorneys who have succesfully defended hundreds of clients against sex crimes for over four decades. Come sit down with us and you will be assured that your case will be handled by an experienced and skilled Los Angeles sex crimes criminal lawyer who is committed to exhausting all possible measures to defend you.

Don’t put your freedom in jeopardy. Contact a California sex trafficking of a minor criminal defense lawyer at Goldstein Law Group to learn how we can defend you against your charges! All consultations are free, available 24/7, and strictly confidential.

27 Persons Charged in Oxycodone Distribution and Money Laundering Conspiracy

admin — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 19:22:00 GMT

In Las Vegas, Nevada, federal prosecutors unsealed charges against 27 individuals for their involvement in an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation in Nevada and Alaska involving the distribution of over 6,000 tablets of Oxycodone and the laundering of over $1.2 million, announced a United States Attorney for the District of Nevada.

Eight persons were arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada, and 19 individuals were arrested in Alaska. Twenty-five of the defendants are charged with money laundering conspiracy, and 14 of the defendants are charged with conspiracy to distribute oxycodone. The defendants are charged in two separate criminal complaints filed in the District of Nevada. The criminal complaints were unsealed by a federal magistrate judge in Las Vegas.

The complaints allege that a Las Vegas-based drug trafficking organization led by Nicholas Ghafouria, of Las Vegas, is responsible for acquiring thousands of tablets of oxycodone in Las Vegas and distributing it in various cities in Alaska, and laundering the profits through Las Vegas bank accounts.

The complaints state that beginning in approximately June 2009, Ghafouria and another Las Vegas resident, Ki Yong Parker, used prescriptions in their names to acquire approximately 6,200 tablets of Oxycodone, which were distributed in Alaska. Ghafouria also allegedly obtained oxycodone through Las Vegas resident Demetha Jackson. The complaints allege that the other defendants worked for Ghafouria as money launderers and/or drug traffickers in Las Vegas and Soldotna, Kenai, Wasilla, Anchor Point, and Anchorage, Alaska. The Alaska defendants allegedly sold the oxycodone pills in Alaska, and deposited the drug proceeds in bank accounts in the names of Ghafouria and several co-conspirators. The drug proceeds were then withdrawn by co-conspirators in Las Vegas. he complaint alleges that from July 24, 2009, through October 2, 2010, over $1.2 million in cash proceeds from the distribution of oxycodone was deposited into nine Las Vegas-based bank accounts controlled by Ghafouria and his co-conspirators.

It is alleged that Ghafouria attempted to legitimize the money earned from the drug distribution business by operating a custom motorcycle and paint shop named Alley Rat Custom Cycles, located at 3965 E. Patrick Lane, in Las Vegas. The complaint states that oxycodone pills are delivered to Ghafouria at Alley Rat, and that Ghafouria uses persons (mules) to transport the pills from the business to Alaska via commercial airlines.

If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine on the drug trafficking charge, and up to 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine on the money laundering charge.

The case is being investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation in Las Vegas, the FBI in Las Vegas and Anchorage, DEA in Las Vegas and Anchorage, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives in Anchorage, Department of Homeland Security in Anchorage, Las Vegas OCDETF, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, United States Attorney’s Office, District of Alaska, Alaska Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Enforcement, Alaska State Troopers (Soldotna SERT, Soldotna ABI, Anchor Point Troopers), Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Kenai Police Department, Anchorage, Kenai and Mat-Su Judicial Services, Kenai District Attorney’s Office, Soldotna Police Department, Kenai Adult Probation, Alaska Department of Corrections, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and Alaska National Guard. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys.

If you have been charge or under investigation for illegal distribution of prescription drugs, it’s crucial that you obtain a United States and Los Angeles prescription drug distribution defense attorney immediately. The state or federal prosecutor will pursue your distribution of prescription drug charges aggressively and will seek strict penalties that could incarcerate you in prison.

At Goldstein Law Group, we have over four decades of experience in illegal prescription drug distribution criminal charges, and have successfully defended many individuals in all Los Angeles Superior Courts. When you visit our offices, you will meet with an experienced and skilled Los Angeles prescription drug distribution criminal defense lawyer who will explain your legal rights. Contact our office today for a free, strictly confidential, consultation.

Riverside, California Man Sentenced to Prison for Insurance Fraud, Grand Theft and Tax Evasion

admin — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 17:42:00 GMT

A Riverside, California man was sentenced to 12 years in state prison for his part in a conspiracy to defraud two insurance companies out of $1.4 million by illegally selling liens on workers' compensation insurance claims.

Rene Montes, is the last of four defendants to be sentenced in the case. He pleaded guilty on June 7 to 122 felony counts, including 59 counts of grand theft, 59 counts of insurance fraud, three counts of tax evasion, and one count of conspiracy, the Orange County District Attorney's Office said in a news release.

The case involved liens that doctors and hospitals put on workers' compensation insurance claims. The liens are put on when patients file the claims to ensure the doctors or hospitals are paid by the insurance company. Montes used a surgery center he owned in La Habra for liens that he did not have the authority to collect, prosecutors said. He was accused of sending more than 50 letters to American International Group and Matrix Absence Management falsely claiming to have authority to negotiate, settle and collect payment on pending liens on behalf of doctors and hospitals.

The other three people convicted in the case were Hector Porrata, of Moreno Valley; George Martinez, of Apple Valley; and Cara Cruz-Thompson, of Victorville. Porrata, Martinez and Cruz-Thompson negotiated liens while working at a claims-adjusting company. Porrata, Martinez and Cruz-Thompson, knowing Montes' claims to be false, fraudulently settled his claims and paid him more than $1.17 million from AIG and $310,000 from Matrix.

On Feb. 2, 2007, AIG received a demand letter from a hospital for payment on an outstanding medical lien that AIG determined had already been paid to Montes. AIG conducted an internal audit and discovered that Porrata, Martinez and Cruz-Thompson were the only three claims adjusters to have settled liens with Montes for AIG, prosecutors said. AIG reported its discovery to the District Attorney's Office and the California Department of Insurance.

Montes was accused of receiving the stolen money from AIG and Matrix and failing to file tax returns on the income. In addition to his prison sentence, Montes was ordered to pay more than $1.7 million in restitution. The other three defendants pleaded guilty on May 7.

Porrata pleaded guilty to 50 counts each of grand theft and insurance fraud and one count of conspiracy. He was sentenced to eight years in state prison and ordered to pay more than $1 million in restitution.

Martinez pleaded guilty to 11 felony counts each of grand theft and insurance fraud and one count of conspiracy. He was sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to pay more than $300,000 in restitution.

Thompson pleaded guilty to 12 counts each of grand theft and insurance fraud and one count of conspiracy. She was sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to pay more than $200,000 in restitution.

At Goldstein Law Group, we have been defending clients in Los Angeles County, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Burbank and the San Fernando Valley for more than four decades. Criminal defense attorneys Michael A. Goldstein and James A. Goldstein and have more than enough experience and skill to properly defend individualse against even the most serious theft crimes charges. We understand what our clients are up against during the complicated legal process, as well as what the future holds for them if they are convicted. This motivates us to work even harder and take whatever measures are necessary to protect our clients from a criminal conviction. We never give up on a client’s case and will aggressively fight the charges brought against our clients

Contact a Los Angeles county theft crimes criminal defense attorney at Goldstein Law Group to discuss your case. All consultation are free and strictly confidential.