Watsonville woman accused in foreclosure scam
By Jennifer Squires - Sentinel Staff Writer
Article Launched: 08/06/2008
WATSONVILLE - A Watsonville woman already accused of defrauding an elderly Salinas woman out of thousands of dollars now faces charges she scammed at least seven South County homeowners in a bogus refinancing scheme.
Most lost their homes.
Melissa Dawn Garcia, 27, allegedly told homeowners nearing foreclosure that she could save their property if they paid her $2,500, according to prosecutor Kelly Walker with the Santa Cruz County District Attorney's Office.
He called the alleged scams "keep your house out of foreclosure deals."
Garcia's court-appointed attorney, Nancy De La Pena, could not be reached to comment.
Garcia, whose profession was listed as "loan officer" in the County Jail log, was charged with the new crimes Monday.
In Santa Cruz County, Garcia pleaded innocent to one count each of forgery and elder abuse and nine counts of obtaining money by false pretenses, according to Walker.
He said more charges are likely as additional victims come out of the woodwork. Garcia currently faces more than 30 years in prison.
She remains in County Jail on $150,000 bail. Garcia returns to court Sept. 15 to set a preliminary hearing, which will determine if there's enough evidence to hold a trial.
Abridged
SOURCE: San Jose Mercury News - CA, USA
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