Cops Barely Beat 4-Year Statute Of Limitations; Charge Realty Agent With Duping Client Into Signing Over Condo; Victim Now Lives In Homeless Shelter

In Long Beach, California, the Press Telegram reports:

• A felony embezzlement charge was filed [...] against a Long Beach real estate agent who allegedly conned a client into signing over his property, leaving the victim homeless. Donald Marshall Otis is accused of conning a former neighbor to sign over his Downtown Long Beach condominium, which the victim owned free and clear, in 2005 and then selling the property for more than $200,000, said Sgt. Rick Farfan, of the Long Beach Police Department's Forgery and Fraud Division. The victim, now 41, knew Otis as a neighbor and also knew Otis was a licensed real estate agent, Farfan said.

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• Farfan said it appeared as though Otis used the mountain of paperwork home owners must sign when selling a property to disguise the deed transfer. The victim, he said, was very naive and easily led by the accused, like many victims of forgery and fraud. "Anyone who has ever sold or bought a home knows there is a lot of paper work, it's easy to lose track, especially if you don't know anything about (the process)," Farfan said. Adding to the scheme, Farfan said, was the fact Otis was a licensed real estate agent and therefore trusted.

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• This case took about a year to put together, and was brought to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for filing just before the four-year statute of limitations (for property crimes) was up, he said. Although the crime took place in 2005, police did not begin their investigation until 2008, when it was finally reported to authorities, Farfan said.

• The victim first went to an attorney in 2005, who sued Otis over the matter and won a default civil judgment for the victim last year. But with the money already spent and Otis not working or holding any property in his name, the victim has not recouped a single penny of his loss, Farfan said. "The really sad thing is our victim is now homeless," the sergeant said, adding that the man lives in a homeless shelter in Carson.

For the story, see Long Beach real estate agent charged with embezzlement.

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