California Woman Gets Five Years For Using Forged Documents To Swipe, Mortgage & Sell Widow's Home Out From Under Her

From the Office of the San Bernardino County, California District Attorney:

• [J]udge Rod Cortez sentenced Oralia Hidalgo, 46, of Colton to prison for real estate fraud related crimes.(1) [...] In July 2003, Hidalgo forged the victim’s name on a Grant Deed illegally taking title to a residence in Colton. The signature of the victim's husband was also forged on the Grant Deed. The husband had died approximately two years prior to the forgery. The defendant encumbered the property and subsequently sold it for $125,000. The defendant falsified several real estate deeds and forged the signature and stamp of a notary public. The fraudulent deeds were later recorded at the San Bernardino County Recorder's Office. The issue of restitution has been reserved for an upcoming hearing.

For the DA's press release, see Colton Woman Sentenced to Prison for Real Estate Fraud.

(1) According to the DA's press release, Hidalgo was ordered to serve five (5) years in the California state prison system. The defendant was found guilty on nine (9) felony counts ranging from forgery, grand theft, filing of false instruments, and a grand theft enhancement, which were filed by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Real Estate Fraud Unit.