West Palm Beach Criminal Lawyers

West Palm Beach Bankers Charged with Fraud

Posted on March 22nd, 2011 No Comments

Two West Palm Beach bankers pleaded guilty Friday to taking bribes to process fraudulent bank loan applications.

According to officials with the West Palm Bech Sheriff’s Department, 32 year-old David Ramoy and 34 year-old Daniel Agudelo were arrested as part of a two-year investigation into a Boca Raton company that promised clients help securing loans despite poor credit histories. The owner of Palm Beach Cusiness Consultants, Francis Santa, would pay off corrupt bankers to push through fraudulent loans for his clients, investigators say.

According to authorities, Ramoy had been a bank officer at the Floridian Community Bank branch in Delray Beach, while Agudelo worked at the Fifth Third Bank branch in West Palm Beach. They were two of seven West Palm Beach bankers indicted as the result of a federal inquiry.

Agudelo and Ramoy each pleaded guilty in West Palm Beach federal court to conspiring to commit bank fraud. The charge could carry a maximum sentnece of 30 years in prison.

If you are facing criminal charges, please contact a West Palm Beach Criminal Lawyer of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A., by calling 561-353-2800.

Clerk Receives Forged Documents Ordering Inmate’s Release

Posted on March 15th, 2011 No Comments

The clerks office of the Palm Beach County Jail received forged documents ordering the release of an inmate.

According to Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller Sharon Bock, the documents included a signed judge’s order vacating the sentence of 29 year-old Jean Lafalaise and dismissing all of his charges. “This inmate is waiting for a 40-year sentence in Pinellas County and a very large sentence here in Palm Beach County,” Bock said. “And this inmate had escaped different jails across the state.”

The paperwork, which appeared to be signed by State Attorney Michael McAuliffe and Judge Nelson Bailey, said Lafalaise had been wrongly arrested and the right man had been caught. Upon further examination, a clerk at the Belle Glade office determined the documents to be forgeries.

“The first glaring error was that the motion was signed by our state attorney, the elected state attorney himself, which never happens,” Bock said. The clerk also noted Judge Bailey’s signature was incorrect.

Officials with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department are investigating who is responsible for the documents.

If you have been charged with a similar crime in West Palm Beach, please contact a West Palm Beach Criminal Defense Attorney of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A., by calling 561-353-2800.

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Man Charged with Aggravated Assault After Standoff

Posted on March 9th, 2011 No Comments

A man in West Palm Beach has been charged with assault after a four-hour standoff Thursday.

According to officials with the West Palm Beach Police Department, detectives were attempting to serve a warrant for Toriano Rutledge shortly before 10:00 a.m. Thursday. Officers said Rutledge refused to come out of his home. Police, believing Rutledge to be armed and dangerous, called in a SWAT team.

The four-hour standoff ended juste after 2:00 p.m. when Rutledge and two other people exited the home. “We pulled the sheriff’s armored vehicles up there. We had the house surrounded with our SWAT team and we called them out with a bullhorn,” police chief Dennis Crispo said. “We had no problems taking them into custody.”

Rutledge was arrested on aggravated assault charges. Police say they were looking for Rutledge in connection with an incident at Walgreens on Palm Beach lakes Boulevard on Tuesday.

If you have been charged with assault, please contact a West Palm Beach Criminal Defense Lawyer of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A., by calling 561-353-2800.

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Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Drug Distribution, Trafficking

Posted on March 2nd, 2011 No Comments

A West Palm Beach man who sold drugs to an undercover detective was sentenced Friday to 30 years in prison.

According to court documents, 45 year-old James McDonald was found guilty Friday of trafficking in oxycodone and sale of cocaine. McDonald was arrested in December during an undercover drug sting.

According to officials with the West Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office, McDonald met with the undercover detective and a confidential informant at a Boca Raton house, where he sold them $200 worth of crack cocaine and oxycodone pills. Investigators say McDonald has been convicted of drug and theft charges in the past.

A conviction for drug trafficking and distribution can have a devastating impact on your financial and professional future. If you are facing drug related charges, please contact an experienced West Palm Beach drug distribution attorney of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A., by calling 561-353-2800

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West Palm Beach Fugitive Arrested in Israel

Posted on February 22nd, 2011 No Comments

A fugitive from West Palm Beach who fled the United States more than 10 years ago was arrested in Israel Tuesday.

According to officials with the FBI, 38 year-old Lawrence Seth Wayne was arrested Monday by Israeli authorities outside Tel Aviv. Wayne had been a fugitive since 2000, when an appellate court upheld his 1998 conviction on charges of DUI manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident. Wayne was sentenced to 19 years in prison, but was released on bond.

After his appeal was denied, Wayne was ordered to return to prison but he failed to appear in court. Prosecutors say Wayne’s monitoring device was found on his bed, along with a letter to his parents stating that he was leaving the country and would not return.

Wayne is being extradited back to the United States.

If you have been charged with a crime, please contact a West Palm Beach Criminal Attorney of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A., by calling 561-353-2800.

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West Palm Beach Man Charged with Child Abuse

Posted on February 16th, 2011 No Comments

A man found unconscious along Interstate 95 in West Palm Beach has been charged with child abuse.

According to officials with the West Palm Beach Police Department, 53 year-old Jorge Barohona was found unconscious near a pest control truck Monday morning. His 10 year-old adopted son was found inside the truck, apparently severely burned by a strong acid-based chemical. Authorities say both Barohona and the boy inhaled some of the chemical.

The boy was transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center where he remained in an incubator in the intensive care unit. Barahona was in quarantine in intensive care.

Barohona was arrested and charged with felony aggravated child abuse Tuesday evening. Police say more charges are expected.

If you have been charged with domestic violence, please contact a West Palm Beach Defense Attorney of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A. by calling 561-353-2800.

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Man Awaits Sentencing in West Palm Beach Shooting

Posted on February 9th, 2011 No Comments

Sentencing for a man who pleaded guilty to shooting a cashier at a West Palm Beach hoe repair store has been scheduled for next month.

According to court documents, Marvin Jean Michel pleaded guilty in December to attempted robbery with a firearm, two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm and four counts of robbery with a firearm. Michel was charged in the November 17, 2009 armed robbery and shooting at Danny’s Shoe Repair.

Store owner Daniel Catalfumo told reporters that Michel and another armed man entered the store and demanded money from his daughter, Julianna Catalfumo. According to officials with the West Palm Beach Police Department, Daniel Catalfumo threw a hammer at Michel, who fired at him. Another shot struck his daughter.

Michel is also facing charges for two other armed robberies from August 2009.

If you are facing firearms charges, it may be in your best interests to retain the services of an experienced attorney. Please contact a West Palm Beach gun law attorney of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A. by calling 561-353-2800.

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Caretaker Accused of Stealing $88,000 from Elderly Victim

Posted on February 1st, 2011 No Comments

A woman in West Palm Beach was arrested Friday, accused of pilfering more than $88,000 from an elderly blind woman she cared for.

According to State Attorney Michale McAuliffe, 62 year-old Deborah Richardson Raing, a friend of the 93 year-old victim’s daughter, helped the blind woman with her daily needs. Authorities say Raing systematically stole from the victim over a two year period from 2008-2010. The alleged crime came to light when a bank manager questioned unusual activity in the victim’s accounts. An investigation found evidence that Raing stole approximately $88,709.41 from the victim’s accounts without her knowledge or consent.

Raing is being held in the Palm Beach County jail on a $15,000 bond. She is charged with grand theft from a person 65 years or older. If convicted, she is facing a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

The State Attorney’s office announced the arrest and filing of charges on Friday.

If you have been arrested and charged with grand theft, then a good criminal defense lawyer can protect you in court. Please contact a West Palm Beach grand theft lawyer of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A. today by calling 561-353-2800.

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Feds Arrest 15 in $10M Business Loan Scam

Posted on January 26th, 2011 No Comments

A loan broker in West Palm Beach led a scam that cost area banks more than $10 million in bogus business loans, prosecutors said Wednesday.

According to officials with the U.S. Attorney’s office, 51 year-old Frank Santa ran Palm Beach Business Consultants, a loan brokerage that specialized in landing fraudulent business loans for borrowers with shaky credit. Federal prosecutors say Santa used bogus loan applications to apply for the loans. The wide-ranging scam reportedly involved hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of loans.

Santa was one of 15 people charged Wednesday, following a two-year undercover investigation by the FBI. Prosecutors say Santa paid bribes as much as $10,000 to bankers who approved applications for small business loans and lines of credit. Seven West Palm Beach bankers were charged in the scam, as well as six clients of Palm Beach Business Consultants.

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Wilfredo Ferrer, said scammers have turned to other areas of opportunity as the mortgage market has tightened. “It’s a frustrating game of whack-a-mole,” Ferrer said. “One method of fraud shuts down, and another one will emerge.”

If you have been charged with Theft or Fraud in West Palm Beach, please contact the West Palm Beach Criminal Lawyers of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A., by calling 561-353-2800.

Caretaker arrested for stealing thousands from elderly woman

Posted on January 17th, 2011 No Comments

A 62-year-old caretaker has been accused of stealing over $100,000 from a West Palm Beach elderly woman.

The caretaker, Deborah Raing, allegedly stole thousands of dollars after convincing a 93-year-old woman to sign several documents that gave her access to the woman’s bank accounts. Raing also had the elderly woman sign a modified will that included Raing as a beneficiary.

Raing is facing a criminal charge for grand theft from a person over 65 years old.

If you or someone you know has been arrested for a crime, you need experienced, aggressive legal representation that you can trust. Contact the West Palm Beach grand theft lawyers of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A., today at 561-353-2800 to learn how we can assist with your case.

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