Federal Prison Penalties for Wire Fraud in California

Can You Go to Prison for Wire Fraud in California?

Can You Go to Prison for Wire Fraud in California? What You Need to Know Before It’s Too Late Wire fraud is one of the most frequently prosecuted white collar crimes in federal court. If you’ve been accused of wire fraud — or even just contacted by a federal agent — you might be wondering: […]
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Person reviewing financial documents with “EDD Fraud Investigation” text overlay

Will I Go to Jail If Charged with EDD Fraud in California?

EDD Fraud in California – Charges, Penalties & Defense Strategies Unemployment insurance fraud—commonly referred to as EDD fraud—can lead to serious criminal charges in California. Whether you’re accused of falsifying information, collecting benefits you weren’t entitled to, or using someone else’s identity to apply, prosecutors treat these cases aggressively—especially in the wake of widespread COVID-era […]
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Netflix Fraud Charges Against Filmmaker Carl Erik Rinsch

Hollywood Director Carl Erik Rinsch Indicted for $55M Netflix Fraud

Netflix Fraud Case: Hollywood Director Carl Erik Rinsch Indicted for Misusing $55M in Production Funds LOS ANGELES, CA – March 18, 2025 Carl Erik Rinsch, a Hollywood writer-director best known for the film 47 Ronin, has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly defrauding Netflix out of $11 million. Prosecutors claim Rinsch misused the funds […]
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Forensic accountant analyzing financial fraud in a white-collar crime case

The Role of Forensic Accountants in Criminal Defense in California

The Role of Forensic Accounting in White-Collar Crime Defense Forensic accounting is an essential tool in defending against white-collar crime allegations. These cases often involve intricate financial records, sophisticated transactions, and substantial sums of money, making expert analysis crucial to uncovering the truth. In Los Angeles, forensic accountants collaborate with defense attorneys to analyze evidence, […]
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Tom Girardi, former attorney, August 2024 in Los Angeles, facing federal fraud charges alongside ex-CFO Christopher Kamon

Former Accounting Chief at Girardi Keese Law Firm Pleads Guilty to Multi-Million Dollar Embezzlement Scheme

Christopher Kazuo Kamon, the former head of the accounting department at the now-shuttered Girardi Keese law firm, has admitted his role in a large-scale embezzlement scheme, pleading guilty to two counts of wire fraud in a Los Angeles federal court. The charges relate to Kamon’s orchestration of a complex financial fraud that resulted in the […]
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Los Angeles White-Collar Crime Defense Lawyer | Protecting Your Rights

South LA Resident Receives 87-Month Federal Prison Sentence for Leading $2.7 Million Bank Fraud Scheme

Los Angeles – Carlos Corona, a South Los Angeles resident, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for masterminding a large-scale bank fraud scheme that defrauded banks and credit unions out of over $2.7 million. The operation, which involved soliciting bank account holders through Instagram, relied on depositing stolen checks into the accounts of […]
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Federal Charges Filed: Dodgers’ Star Shohei Ohtani’s Ex-Interpreter Accused of $16 Million Theft

  Ippei Mizuhara, trusted as Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter since Ohtani joined the Los Angeles Angels, exploited his access to Ohtani’s financial accounts to illegally transfer millions to cover his gambling debts. The U.S. Department of Justice claims that Mizuhara manipulated account settings to hide these transactions, ensuring that Ohtani remained unaware of the unauthorized withdrawals. […]
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Encino Tax Prep Company Owner Admits to Filing False Tax Returns

  Bijan Kohanzad, a 62-year-old from Calabasas and owner of an Encino-based tax preparation company, has pleaded guilty to aiding in the filing of a false tax return. This admission comes after accusations of underreporting a client’s income, resulting in a tax loss exceeding $400,000 to the IRS. Guilty Plea and Charges Kohanzad was charged […]
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COVID-19 Fraud and Auto Title Theft Land Granada Hills Man 17.5-Year Sentence

  United States District Judge Josephine L. Staton sentenced Eduard Gasparyan, 38, from Granada Hills, to 210 months in federal prison for leading a scheme that fraudulently obtained over $1.5 million in COVID-19 unemployment benefits and stole dozens of car titles. Judge Staton also ordered Gasparyan to pay $2,232,767 in restitution. In February 2023, Gasparyan […]
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Imperial County Dentist Dr. Javad Aghaloo Sentenced for Medicare Fraud

In San Diego, a federal court sentenced 50-year-old Indio dentist Javad Aghaloo to 37 months in prison for committing Medicare fraud. Melissa Rosas, 42, from Calexico and Aghaloo’s former billing manager, received a sentence of three years of probation, including one year of home confinement, for her role in obstructing a Medicare audit. Fraudulent Scheme […]
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Monterey Caterer Charged for Allegedly Defrauding $4M in COVID-Relief Funds

  Dory Lindsay Ford, a 57-year-old caterer from Monterey, California, faces serious charges for defrauding the government of $4 million in COVID-19 relief funds. A federal grand jury indicted Ford for bank fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. Background and Charges Ford operated Aqua Terra Culinary, Inc., a catering company in Monterey. During the COVID-19 […]
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Former Los Angeles Councilman José Huizar Sentenced to 13 Years in Federal Prison for Racketeering Conspiracy and Tax Evasion

Former Los Angeles City Councilman José Huizar, was sentenced to 13 years in prison Friday in a high-profile corruption case. He was found guilty of accepting at least $1.5 million in cash and benefits. These were in exchange for his assistance in approving various real estate projects in downtown LA. A year ago, Huizar pleaded […]
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Conspiracy Charges Under California Penal Code 182

Koreatown Lawyer Faces Federal Indictment for Money Laundering, Tax Evasion, and Obstruction

A federal indictment accuses 67-year-old Koreatown lawyer Paulinus Iheanacho Okoronkwo of complex financial and legal misconduct. His charges relate to a $2.1 million transaction involving Nigerian and Chinese state-owned oil companies. Detailed Charges and Legal Provisions Money Laundering Charges: Incident: Okoronkwo allegedly received a $2.1 million bribe from Addax Petroleum for influencing drilling rights negotiations […]
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Inland Empire Suspect in Nudist Ranch Killing Appears in Court

California Man Pleads Guilty to Major IRS Fraud: Nearly $900,000 in Unlawful Tax Refunds

Richard Jason Mountford, a resident of Monterey County, California, confessed to a substantial tax fraud, cheating the IRS out of nearly $900,000. His guilty plea, recorded in a federal court, acknowledges his role in a sophisticated tax scheme from 2016 to 2020. Court documents reveal that Mountford, alongside unnamed accomplices, submitted fraudulent income tax returns. […]
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Tom Girardi, former attorney, August 2024 in Los Angeles, facing federal fraud charges alongside ex-CFO Christopher Kamon.

Two Charged in Extensive $8.5 Million Airbnb and Vrbo Fraud Scheme

Photo: ( closeup shot of metal handcuffs and dollars) The federal government has charged Shray Goel and Shaunik Raheja in a complex case involving an $8.5 million scam. This scheme, primarily executed through Airbnb and Vrbo, involved misleading property listings and discriminatory practices against Black renters. Case Details Indictment Charges: Both men face allegations of […]
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Los Angeles Tobacco Distributor Sentenced in $3 Million Tax Evasion Scheme

Attorney General Bonta has announced a legal victory in the case of Sadiq Mohammed, a Los Angeles tobacco distributor convicted of running a $3 million tax evasion scheme against the State of California. The California Department of Justice (DOJ) successfully secured a 32-month prison sentence for Mohammed, who had pled guilty to these charges. The […]
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Riverside County Woman Receives 3.5-Year Federal Prison Sentence for $2.8 Million Unemployment Fraud

Case Overview Sasha Lizette Jimenez, a 26-year-old from Riverside County, California, received a sentence for her involvement in a major unemployment insurance fraud case. This case showcases the serious legal consequences of large-scale financial fraud. Jimenez and her accomplices, including her boyfriend Meshach Samuels, defrauded the California Employment Development Department (EDD) of over $2.8 million. […]
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