By Brett Callwood
On Tuesday, April 16, a Gardena man was convicted of 52 felony counts of deceiving investors into parting with over $1 million.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced that Anthony Roy Martinez, 68, met most of the investors at real estate seminars.
According to 2urbangirls.com, Martinez “was found guilty last week of 16 counts of grand theft and 18 counts each of sale of securities without qualification and using false statements in the sale of a security, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
The scam ran deep; Martinez was a guest speaker at real estate seminars in California and elsewhere between 2011 and 2016, presenting opportunities “involving the purchase of non-performing second trust deeds as well as direct investments into his uncertified company, Asset Ventures, LLC, prosecutors said.”
After the jury found Martinez guilty on all 52 counts, he was taken into custody to await his May 15 sentencing.
“This guilty verdict sends a clear message that fraudulent schemes targeting innocent investors will not be tolerated in our communities,” District Attorney George Gascón said following the verdict. “I commend the diligence of the jury and their commitment to justice, resulting in holding the perpetrator accountable for his deceitful actions.”
A statement at da.lacounty.gov reads, “The prosecution of the case was the responsibility of the White Collar Division of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.”
