Rojas returns
Readers of It's a Crime will remember James Anthony Rojas. He's back in the news again, with the scope of his alleged crimes considerably enlarged.
SAN FERNANDO - James Anthony Rojas pled not guilty to 79 felony counts today, after prosecutors went after him for his alleged role in a massive real estate and investment fraud scam.
The San Fernando Police Department arrested the 51-year-old businessman in September on suspicion of forgery for a scheme in which he allegedly forged grant deeds to take over homes of people in danger of foreclosure using the business name Victoria Holdings. He was scheduled to go to trial on Thursday for allegedly scheming to take houses from two victims, but the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office filed an additional 82 counts, including grand theft, forgery, identity theft and three misdemeanor rent skimming charges, instead.
He was arraigned on the charges today and pleaded not guilty. He's in custody in lieu of $1.64 million in bail.
"I'm glad that we finally got a person who's taken so many people's livelihoods away," said SFPD Sgt. Chris Colelli. "We're actually bringing him to justice. I hope this brings some small amount of comfort to all the people he's hurt."
Prosecutors allege the Mission Hills resident took 15 pieces of property in a swath spanning from Long Beach to as far north as Bakersfield in a two-year spree. He allegedly victimized 21 people, including three notaries by stealing their seals to forge the documents.
He first came into the spotlight when KTTV (Channel 11) News made him the subject of several investigative reports, prompting additional victims to come forward. He told the program he'd done nothing wrong.
"The public needs to be vigilant to guard against scam artists who target the weakest and most susceptible," said District Attorney Steve Cooley, in a statement. "That is why the investigative reporting of Fox 11 News on this case should be commended. A free press needs to keep the public informed of vital issues such as the possible loss of a home to real estate foreclosure fraud. It is a public service that they should not take lightly."
Given that his alleged crimes don't involve violence, Colelli said he feared that Rojas would not do serious prison time if convicted of the charges.
"Unfortuantely, I don't think he's going to do a lot of time because he didn't hurt anybody," he said. "But he's wrecked a lot of people's lives.
Here's the original link (which we had some trouble with, but seems to be working fine now). And, if you click the It's a Crime link, is it just me, or does that dude look just like the late Luciano Pavarotti? Sounds like he isn't as willing to sing, however.
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