Federal charges were filed Monday against two SoCal women for their alleged roles in a Beverly Hills-based foreclosure rescue scam that collected at least $5 million from more than 1,000 “vulnerable” homeowners, prosecutors said. “The defendants in this case stand accused of profiting off of the desperation of people who were trying to hold on to their most valuable asset—their homes,” said Benjamin B. Wagner, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California. “This office is deeply committed to tracking down and prosecuting those who prey on vulnerable homeowners.” Jewel L. Hinkles, also known as Cydney Sanchez, 61, of Los Angeles, and Bernadette Guidry, 43, of Irvine, were among five people from throughout the state charged in a federal indictment unsealed today in Sacramento, according to Wagner. Hinkles and Guidry are each charged with eight counts of mail fraud, while Hinkles faces an additional 16 counts of bankruptcy fraud, Wagner said. According to court documents, Hinkles is the founder and general manager of Beverly Hills-based Horizon Property Holdings, LLC, which from 2008-10 pitched a purported foreclosure rescue service called “Save My Home” or “Homesaver.” Guidry was Horizon’s office manager and assisted Hinkles with promoting the foreclosure and principal reduction program—which was sold directly and through affiliates—to clients in Northern California, according to prosecutors. The defendants allegedly told homeowners that for a substantial up-front payment and a monthly fee, they would save the homeowners’ houses. But according to the indictment, the defendants failed to save clients’ homes but continued to collect fees. If convicted, the defendants face a possible maximum of 20 years in prison for each mail fraud count, five years in prison for each bankruptcy fraud count and a $250,000 fine for each count, Wagner said. This report was compiled with information from City News Service. Be sure to follow Beverly Hills Patch on Twitter and “Like” us on Facebook . Read more from the original source: Beverly Hills-Based Foreclosure Rescue Scam Is Busted
Posts Tagged ‘ beverly ’
Stirling: Hollywood in the Adelaide Hills
Julia Ormond arrives at the 2011 HBO Golden Globe Party in Beverly Hills, California, in January. See the original post: Stirling: Hollywood in the Adelaide Hills
Surviving Without Power
Wednesday’s storm and its resulting outages are just a reminder, experts said, of what a major earthquake could do, and for much longer. Follow this link: Surviving Without Power
French outfit bags Carlyle Hotel outpost
Luxury handbag purveyor Perrin Paris 1893 is making its New York debut. The company, which is based in Paris and has its U.S. flagship location in Beverly Hills, Calif., recently signed a five-year lease for around 550 square feet at 987 Madison Ave. Read the original here: French outfit bags Carlyle Hotel outpost
13 Little Tricks to Wake Up Slimmer
We get it: You want to lose the jiggle but don’t want to blacklist your favorite eats, count every single calorie, or overdose on gym hours. Continue reading here: 13 Little Tricks to Wake Up Slimmer
Is ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ showing too much of Russell Armstrong?
At first, it seemed like producers of Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” were taking the high road. More here: Is ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ showing too much of Russell Armstrong?
Tobey Maguire settles poker lawsuit
Tobey Maguire has settled a lawsuit that sought repayment of hundreds of thousands of dollars the ” Spider-Man ” actor allegedly won in secret high-stakes poker games at Beverly Hills luxury hotels, according to court documents filed last week. Originally posted here: Tobey Maguire settles poker lawsuit
‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ Recap: The Maloof Hoof
The housewives dialed it down a bit this week in anticipation of what looks like another epic battle next week, and also, out of a humble, quiet respect for shoes. The episode opens as a scattered Lisa wanders home just in time to help Pandora with her wedding planning. Pandie – who we’ll all recall was once described as something along the lines of tasteful and classy – has selected invitations for her wedding, she tells Lisa, and they will cost a very tactful total of $15,000. more › Originally posted here: ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ Recap: The Maloof Hoof
What Is LAPD’s Strategy with Occupy LA?
Hundreds of LAPD officers in full riot gear were dispatched to the Occupy LA camp outside City Hall to enforce Mayor Villaraigosa’s order that the encampment be closed. Just before daybreak, it wasn’t protesters who left. It was the police. Here is the original post: What Is LAPD’s Strategy with Occupy LA?
Patrick Schwarzenegger: Haircut with Dad & Christopher
The 18-year-old aspiring model was joined by his dad Arnold and his younger brother Christopher . See original here: Patrick Schwarzenegger: Haircut with Dad & Christopher