A Los Angeles woman was formally charged with 25 felony counts of real estate fraud Monday in connection to a dozen falsely filed mechanics liens accusing Los Angeles County homeowners of millions of dollars in unpaid contracting work
The suspect, 58-year-old Rita Ortiz, now faces more than 24 years in state prison, if convicted. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman called the investigation “one of the most egregious cases of alleged real estate fraud” he’s ever seen.
“The homeowner victims in this case cannot sell their property until these liens are cleared,” Hochman said. “Our Real Estate Fraud Section will do everything in our power to seek justice for these individuals. Once convicted, we will additionally seek a court order to clear title for all who have been victimized by the defendant.”…