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4 arrested in loan fraud case
Simi man's identity stolen in real estate scheme
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More from Local NewsFour Los Angeles County residents were arrested Wednesday on suspicion of stealing a Simi Valley man's identity to take out a fraudulent real estate loan, authorities said.
Mark DeLaToba, 30, and Laura Menchaca, 25, both of Sylmar; Daxon Dorsch, 38, of Woodland Hills; and Forrest Reed, 75, of Granada Hills were arrested after an investigation stemming from a report made in June 2006, according to a statement from the Simi Valley Police Department.
James Brown, 59, of Simi Valley told police that a San Fernando-based real estate lender, Real Estate Direct, had forged lending documents resulting in a fraudulent $370,300 loan in his name, authorities said.
After an investigation by Simi Valley police and the Ventura County District Attorney's Office Real Estate Fraud Unit, a search warrant was executed at the business in April 2007, authorities said, and numerous related documents were seized.
Information from the California Department of Real Estate confirmed that Real Estate Direct was not a licensed real estate lender, authorities said.
All four were arrested on suspicion of multiple felonies, including grand theft, fraud and identity theft. They were held Thursday at Ventura County Jail.
DeLaToba, Dorsch and Menchaca were not eligible for bail. Reed was held in lieu of $120,000 bail.
Posted by iculukn on May 9, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No matter how you spell it, they are criminals and should be treated that way.
Posted by incgnta on May 9, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope the victim can clear this incident off of his credit report. It's too bad when things like this happen and it literally takes years to clear it off your credit record.
Posted by zulumaster on May 9, 2008 at 12:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Im sure this investigation was mostly the District Attorney's Office and not Simi PD.
Good Job DA's Office
Posted by MidTwn on May 9, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As a victim of identity fraud myself, mark my word that these criminals will only get a slap on the wrist. It took me over two years to clear my credit report and get my "identity" back. There is nobody out there that is willing to help victims of fraud.
Posted by joefox on May 9, 2008 at 2:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i thought James Brown died?
Posted by RandyGeckos on May 11, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
James Brown is dead.
Posted by sparks240 on May 11, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Godfather of Soul.
Posted by goaliegirl69 on May 16, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This type of story is the reason I left the loan industry. Fraud was rampant.
Posted by axel718 on June 6, 2008 at 11:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
zulumaster......IT WAS INVESTIGATED BY DETECTIVES AT SVPD AND NOT THE DA's.OFFICE......
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