Press Release Date:

January 13, 2011

Ventura County District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Real Estate Fraud Unit has filed a felony complaint against Maria Victoria Santos (aka Vicky Santos, DOB 10/07/55) of Ventura, Felipe Carlos Segovia Castro (aka Felipe Carlos, DOB 11/20/43) of Moreno Valley, Laura Cecilia Carlson (DOB 10/18/46) of Hacienda Heights, and Margie Joanna Vargas (DOB 02/12/88) of the city of Orange.

The felony complaint charges Santos with 11 counts of foreclosure consultant fraud and seven counts of grand theft. Castro is charged with one count of foreclosure consultant fraud. Carlson, a licensed real estate salesperson, is charged with two counts of foreclosure consultant fraud. Vargas, a licensed notary public, is charged with two counts of foreclosure consultant fraud.

Press Release Date:

June 17, 2010

VENTURA, California – Federal and local authorities this morning arrested 13 individuals linked to mortgage fraud operations that filed fraudulent loan applications with several banks and other lenders, generated millions of dollars in loan fees and real estate commissions, and caused millions of dollars in losses when the homes went into foreclosure because the purchasers were unable to make their monthly payments.

Press Release Date:

May 21, 2010

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Real Estate Fraud Prosecution Unit has filed a felony complaint against Alfonso Corona (DOB: 03/26/70) and Maricela Corona (DOB: 04/18/68) of Newbury Park, and, Mirna Carranza (DOB: 07/07/84) of Moorpark.

The felony complaint charges Mr. Corona with three counts of grand theft (Penal Code section 487) and one count of money laundering (Penal Code section 186.10). It is also alleged as to Mr. Corona that the crimes he committed are in violation of the aggravated white collar crime enhancement (Penal Code section 186.11(a)(2)) in that the crimes were related felonies, a material element of which is fraud, and that the taking was more than $500,000. An enhancement for taking in excess of $1,300,000 (Penal Code section 12022.6(a)(3)) was also alleged as to Mr. Corona. Mr. Corona faces a maximum term in custody of eight years, eight months if convicted on all counts alleged against him. The felony complaint charges Maricela Corona with eighteen counts comprised of twelve counts of grand theft (Penal Code section 487) and six counts of money laundering (Penal Code section 186.10). It is also alleged as to Mrs. Corona that the crimes she committed are in violation of the aggravated white collar crime enhancement (Penal Code section 186.11(a)(2)) in that the crimes were related felonies, a material element of which is fraud, and that the taking was more than $500,000. An enhancement for taking in excess of $1,300,000 (Penal Code section 12022.6(a)(3)) was also alleged as to Mrs. Corona. Mrs. Corona faces a maximum term in custody of 20 years if convicted on all counts alleged against her. 

Press Release Date:

May 12, 2010

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that John William Vanderwall (DOB 12/13/63), a licensed real estate agent from Simi Valley, pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of felony grand theft and admitted a special allegation of taking more than $50,000 in a case filed by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Real Estate Fraud Unit.

Press Release Date:

March 26, 2010

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Alysa Rosen (DOB 3/11/63) of Thousand Oaks, a former member of the California State Bar, was arraigned on felony charges of identity theft, forgery and grand theft. Rosen is currently in custody in the Ventura County jail on $100,000 bail. Also, Kelly Clough Gladstone (DOB 7/1/60) of Thousand Oaks, was cited and released on a single misdemeanor charge of failure to perform duties of a notary public in violation of California Government Code section 8228.1(a).

Press Release Date:

March 16, 2010

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Clinton Tod Harwell (DOB 10/1/58) of Westlake Village was arraigned on March 15, 2010, in the Ventura County Superior Court on one count of felony grand theft and a special allegation that he took more than $65,000. Harwell pleaded not guilty and denied the special allegation.

Press Release Date:

September 29, 2009

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Real Estate Fraud Prosecution Unit obtained full restitution in the amount of $220,091 on behalf of crime victim Carolyn Koenig.

On September 17, 2009, Ronald Ted Hasson (DOB 1/19/54) of Encino was sentenced on two felony counts – theft from an elder and securities fraud. At the sentencing hearing, Judge Edward Brodie ordered the court-appointed Receiver to disburse these funds to the victim, Ms. Koenig, who is 70 years of age. The funds were obtained by use of California ‘s “Freeze and Seize” law which allows prosecutors to seek court orders to liquidate assets owned or controlled by convicted criminals who have violated the aggravated white collar crime enhancement.

Press Release Date:

September 17, 2009

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Real Estate Fraud Prosecution Unit filed a felony complaint against Alonzo Gene McCowan (DOB 7/5/60) and Kimberly Ann Oglesby McCowan (DOB 11/6/63), a married couple from Camarillo. The felony complaint charges Alonzo McCowan with two counts of theft from an elder (Penal Code section 368(d)) and two counts of money laundering (Penal Code section 186.10(a)). It is also alleged as to Alonzo McCowan that the crimes were committed in violation of the aggravated white collar crime enhancement (Penal Code section 186.11(a)(2)) in that the crimes were related felonies, a material element of which is fraud, and that the taking was more than $500,000.

Press Release Date:

September 17, 2009

Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant of $1,665,231 Awarded to Ventura County District Attorney for the Prosecution of Real Estate and Mortgage Fraud
District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the District Attorney’s Office has received an award in the amount of $1,665,231, over the course of two years, to assist, investigate, and prosecute cases involving real estate and mortgage fraud in Ventura County.
The grant comes from the American Recovery Reinvestment Act and is aimed at curbing recent increases in real estate and mortgage fraud.

Press Release Date:

September 10, 2009

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Real Estate Fraud Prosecution Unit has filed a felony complaint against John William Vanderwall III (DOB 12/13/63) of Simi Valley . The complaint charges Vanderwall with one count of grand theft (Penal Code section 487(a)).