VENTURA, CA - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Ventura County District Attorney’s Real Estate Fraud Unit has filed a felony complaint against Oxnard resident Gloria Becerra (DOB 8/24/65) and Los Angeles resident Hector Menendez (DOB 5/23/56) for grand theft and foreclosure consultant fraud. Becerra and Menendez are both charged with 4 counts of grand theft, 11 counts of foreclosure consultant fraud, and one count of attempted grand theft. The arrests followed a seven-month investigation by the District Attorney’s Real Estate Fraud Unit.

The charges arise out of a fraudulent home loan modification and foreclosure rescue program run primarily under the business names of “Sunset Beach Management,” “Financial Wellness for Homeowners L.A.” and “California Sky Premiers.” Becerra and Menendez collected thousands of dollars in upfront fees promising to reduce the victim’s mortgage loan amount, and to “save” her home from foreclosure. The victim received no actual services from the charged defendants and, in addition to losing thousands of dollars, also lost her home in foreclosure.

The court set bail at $100,000 for both Becerra and Menendez. An early disposition conference is scheduled for April 16, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 12. If convicted of all charges, the defendants each face a maximum sentence of 12 years and 8 months. Individuals who believe they have been victimized by Becerra or Menendez, or others working with either defendant, are encouraged to contact the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Real Estate Fraud Unit at (805) 662-1750 to file a complaint.