stole

Published on: October 5, 2017

Dozens of Immigrants Scammed by Woman Impersonating Attorney

36-year-old Jessica Godoy Ramos has been accused of posing as an immigration attorney and representing several immigrants seeking legal citizenship status, charging thousands of dollars for services she never provided. Ramos allegedly assumed the identity of a New York lawyer with a similar name and stole her bar license number allowing her to work undetected for several years.

A criminal complaint against Ramos claims her clients believed she was a legitimate lawyer until many of them showed up for appointments at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that were never scheduled. Though Ramos filed immigration petitions in some cases, it is alleged that she performed no tasks for some of the clients she billed. In addition, she allegedly issued counterfeit immigration parole documents with which a client was able to enter the U.S.

In February Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) received information from the USCIS concerning five individuals represented by Ramos who tried to pick up green cards that did not exist, resulting in the decision to open an investigation.

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Published on: March 8, 2017

$28,000 in Cell Phones and Cash Stolen from Verizon Store

by Staycie R. Sena

Three males were arrested for allegedly stealing 28,000.00 dollars’ worth of cell phones and cash from a safe at a Verizon store in Fountain Valley.

On Saturday, officers responded to a robbery call at a Verizon store on Warner Avenue and Magnolia Street in Fountain Valley. Reports indicate that three males entered the business – two of them armed – stole from the store and then fled.

Witnesses gave officers the description of the suspects and the car that fled from the store. Later the car was spotted about 18 miles away, in Bellflower. Fountain Valley police officers and other agencies responded, but the car continued to flee.

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Published on: March 3, 2017

Owner of Axis Benefit Administrators is Sentenced to 46 Months in Federal Prison for Healthcare Fraud

by Staycie R. Sena

On Wednesday in Portland, Oregon a U.S. District Judge sentenced Darren Bottinelli to 46 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for healthcare fraud. Bottinelli was also order to pay $3,093,918 in restitution to his victims. The purpose of his company was to put money into trust accounts for employees of his clients, who could then draw upon those monies for eligible health expenditures.

Darren Bottinelli was the sole shareholder, officer, and director of Axis, based in Portland, Oregon. His company administered employee health reimbursement and flexible spending accounts for client employers nationwide.

Some of his clients included Goodwill Industries, Job squad, Cascade Christian Services, VersAbility Resources, and Vets Securing America; which employed veterans, mentally and physically disabled adults, other vulnerable individuals, as well as government contractors and other companies who hire hourly and minimum wage contract workers.

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