Press Release Date:

September 9, 2013

Nature of Incident: HOA Management Company Owner & Chief Financial Officer Arrested for Embezzlement
Report Number: 09-28062
Location: San Diego County & Ventura County
Date & Time: 09-09-13@ 08:00AM
Unit(s) Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Special Services I Major Crimes
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent, City of Residence, Age
Kristin Regina Davis of Solana Beach, San Diego County, Age 44
Melissa Hoff-Soloman-Ramsey of Agoura, Age 37

Narrative:
Kristin Davis, the owner and CEO of Paradigm Management Group, and her Chief Financial Officer, Melissa Hoff, were arrested over the weekend for embezzling approximately $900,000 from the Big Sky Homeowner’s Association in Simi Valley.

Press Release Date:

July 31, 2013

VENTURA, California – Federal and local authorities this morning arrested eight individuals linked to a mortgage fraud scheme that filed loan applications on behalf of lower-income, primarily Spanish-speaking individuals, generating substantial loan fees and commissions and causing lending institutions to suffer millions of dollars in losses when homes went into foreclosure.

This morning’s arrests are the result of a grand jury indictment that charges the eight defendants in a conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud. The investigation, which was started by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, determined that members of the scheme generated dozens of mortgage loans for unqualified borrowers. The indictment specifically outlines a series of allegedly fraudulent loans worth more than $11 million.

Press Release Date:

July 31, 2012

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Ventura County Superior Court Judge Kevin McGee sentenced Kenneth Powell (DOB 6/18/1953), a former resident of Thousand Oaks, to serve 18 years in state prison for his role in a real estate investment fraud scheme. Powell was also ordered to pay $4,341,119 in restitution. Powell had previously pled guilty to 15 felony crimes and admitted multiple special allegations, including the aggravated white collar crime enhancement which increases punishment for taking money or property in excess of $500,000, in a pattern of felony conduct involving fraud or embezzlement.

Press Release Date:

February 16, 2012

VENTURA, California – 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 Antonio Pena (DOB 12/21/72) of Moorpark, and Claudia Xochitl Gil (DOB 9/17/1973) of San Fernando. Gil currently holds a real estate broker’s license issued by the California Department of Real Estate and was formerly a licensed notary public.

The felony complaint charges Pena with two counts of grand theft and one count of money laundering. Pena is also charged with excessive taking enhancements for stealing over $65,000 in one transaction, and stealing over $200,000 in a second transaction. Pena is also charged with an aggravated white-collar crime enhancement for having stolen more than $100,000 while committing two or more related felonies. If the aggravated white-collar crime enhancement is proven, the defendant can be ordered to serve his sentence in state prison. The felony complaint charges Gil with three counts of forgery and two counts of fraud related to a deed of trust. The charges are the result of a long-term investigation conducted by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Real Estate Fraud Unit with the assistance of the Moorpark Police Department.

Press Release Date:

September 8, 2011

VENTURA , California – 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 Juan Alvarado Cervantes (DOB: 01/31/1962, AKA: Juan Alvarado) of Fontana , California . The felony complaint charges Alvarado with one count of residential burglary and one count of grand theft.

The charges filed against Alvarado arise out of a fraudulent home foreclosure rescue program that targeted predominantly monolingual Spanish-speaking residents of Ventura County facing foreclosure of their homes. Alvarado is accused of coming into Ventura County and entering the home of an Oxnard resident who was struggling to make her monthly mortgage payment. After Alvarado entered the victim’s home, he collected thousands of dollars in upfront fees while falsely promising to save the victim’s home from foreclosure. In reality, Alvarado completed no actual services for the victim who eventually lost her home in foreclosure.

Press Release Date:

June 30, 2011

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Maria Victoria Santos (DOB 10/07/55), of Ventura, was sentenced to 365 days in jail and placed on formal probation for a term of 60 months by Ventura County Superior Court Judge Edward Brodie. Santos was also ordered to pay approximately $48,000 in restitution to her 15 victims as a term of probation. Santos pleaded guilty in February 2011 to three felony counts of unlawful act by a foreclosure consultant and four felony counts of grand theft.