A Navy service member locked up at San Diego Central Jail says a bail agent he had never hired swooped in, posted his bond and then sent him a $5,000 bill, even though another agent says she already had his blessing to handle the full $50,000 bond. The dispute, stemming from an April 23 booking, triggered a review by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office and has poured fresh fuel on a state bill that would crack down on unauthorized bail solicitations. Local agents and advocates say the way phones and bail lists are set up in county jails can feel less like a neutral resource and more like a high-pressure marketplace for people in custody.
How the episode unfolded
According to NBC 7 San Diego, the trouble started on April 23, when the sailor was booked into Central Jail and began trying to arrange his release. Wendy Zamutt, who owns Bail Bond Woman, told the station she had the man’s permission, along with his credit-card details, and…..