A couple from Newport Coast, California were convicted and sentenced in March to federal prison for fraud charges stemming from their alleged theft of $7 million from a consortium consisting of seven separate banks. The alleged white collar crime resulted in the husband receiving a sentence of 21 months while his wife was sentenced to three years. The couple was also ordered to pay $4.7 million in restitution. The couple owned an import business in Anaheim and were accused of obtaining a $130 million line of credit from the banking consortium. The charges alleged that they defrauded the banks by overstating their accounts receivable by millions of dollars in order to access the funds. The couple eventually pleaded guilty to the charges and also admitted to falsification of records.
Husband and wife team sentenced for $7 M theft
Two released and one charged with California yacht theft
A man and his girlfriend were released from police custody after another man was charged with the theft of a luxury yacht. The three individuals were originally charged with the theft of the 82-foot yacht, but police were forced to release the couple after determining that there was no evidence to indicate that the boat was stolen.The luxury ship, which is valued at $2.8 million, was stolen from the pier at Sausalito Yacht Harbor, according to police. Authorities believe that the 63-year-old suspect broke into the yacht, found the keys and took off down the coast on a pleasure cruise with the other couple aboard. The suspect is being held on $1.01 million bail.
3 charged with murder in shooting death
A shooting death in a Placentia, California, alley resulted in a charge of murder against three men who are believed to be associated with a gang. The men, aged 19, 21 and 25, will need to prepare a criminal defense along with nine other people accused of various gang-related activities. The three accused men are facing charges of both murder and conspiracy with gang enhancements in connection with the shooting of a 24-year-old man in an alley on the 600 block of Center Street. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim is not believed to have ties to any gangs although there may have been an altercation between the victim and the suspects prior to the shooting, according to information given to the authorities.
Doctors face scrutiny over billing
The Affordable Care Act has given the government more control than ever before over managing health care fraud and abuse that leads to waste in the system. These types of white collar crime on the part of physicians cost the American taxpayers millions every year, despite the fact that only a fraction of all doctors are guilty of these actions. The False Claims Act can result in heavy fines if physicians are found to have submitted false reports to the government. This primarily affects physicians treating Medicare and Medicaid patients. The 2010 reform expanded the power of the law and enabled federal officials to more easily conduct investigations against alleged violators. A violation occurs when a physician or other health care professional knowingly presents a false claim for services.
