Chino Hills woman pleads guilty to forging home loans
SAN BERNARDINO -- A Chino Hills real estate agent who forged more than $900,00 in loan documents to purchase a home pleaded guilty to two felonies today in San Bernardino Superior Court.
As part of a plea bargain reached with prosecutors, Anita Andres Mendoza, 44, will be sentenced to 90 days in jail and be placed on probation for three years, said Deputy District Attorney Vance Welch.
She will be required to pay back $180,000 lost by a mortgage company victimized in her scheme, Welch said.
And if she violates the terms of her probation, she could be sentenced to two years in state prison, Welch said.
A judge granted Mendoza's request today to be released from jail, with a promise that she will return to court for sentencing on Aug. 21. She had been jailed in lieu of about $1.15 million bail since her arrest on July 15.
Mendoza was accused of forging another woman's signature on home-loan documents to purchase a home in Chino Hills in 2006.
The forgery was discovered when a lending institution contacted the woman whose signature Mendoza allegedly forged.
Welch said that prosecutors offered Mendoza a relatively lenient plea bargain because she confessed completely when contacted by investigators.
"She kind of told us in her own words that (being caught) was almost a relief for her because there wasn't a moment that went by that she didn't think about this," Welch said.
"We do a lot of these types of cases, and my standard is state prison," the prosecutor added. "But this was such a different situation in that this lady came completely clean with us."
Welch said that if there was anyone besides Mendoza involved in the scheme, "we didn't really have enough to file (charges) on."
Welch said that because of her convictions, Mendoza will likely lose her real-estate license.
The mortgage industry must be closely regulated to avoid situations like this story and there are many more stories to come in the future because our government has failed to enforced stricter laws on all lenders, employees and owners of escrow/mortgage companies who continued to take advantage of innocent victims.
As for this woman the only persons I feel sorry for are her children who have been mislead and should be embarrassed by their Mother’s selfish behavior along with other parties that may have been involved, yet not enough evidence to convict??
I am sure during the time their Mother (stole) the money/loan from the incconent victim she and her family enjoyed themselves by displaying their beautiful new home to family and friends and co-workers, driving fancy cars, rewarding their children with money that never belonged to her family from the beginning. What angers me about Anita Mendoza and other cases like this one; the courts and the prosecution were too lenient to not hold her accountable for her actions, regardless if she comes forward with all the information. What has happened to our society on holding individuals accountable for breaking the law, shame on San Bernardino Courts and the prosecution team handling this case, because this type of fraud will happen again and again!!
First time??
Bernie Madoff in training............
$180,000 stolen = only 3 months in jail? WTF?
I guess when you use a pen to steal and not a gun the sentencing is a slap on the wrist.
regular thieves get the following for $1 dollar or $180,000
212.5(a)
Robbery first degree
36 48 72 months
212.5(b)
Robbery of person using automated teller machine, first degree
24 36 60 months
212.5(c )
Robbery second degree
24 36 60 months
Then we wonder why the economy is the way it is.
Its because of greedy people who steal 6% of your hard earned money for every home they sell.
Someone with a PHD may not even make $180,000 in a year.She did in one transaction.
But we continue to allow this 6% BS year after year.
f!@$%*& Thieves!!!!!!!!!!!!
People need to stop being so judgemental.
Hey Anonymous,
Who cares what kind of education someone has. I have a 10th grade education but make over 100K as a salesman.
It's not about your education, it's about your drive and determination.
Get a Clue....
Drive and determination to steal from the system?
No ethics no integrity?
Sales must be down so its ok to steal?
Great fall back plan!