Judge Says Deportation Constitutes 'Good Cause' For F'closure Rescue Scammer's Failure To Appear At Sentencing 'Buydown' Hearing; Grants 2-Month Delay

In Santa Maria, California, the Santa Maria Times reports:

• A Superior Court judge has postponed a ruling on whether the former manager of a Los Angeles-based foreclosure consultation business with an office in Santa Maria will have her felony convictions reduced to misdemeanors for committing prohibited foreclosure practices.

• Irma Gonzalez Diaz, 42, was set to be sentenced Thursday by Judge Edward Bullard in Santa Maria on the three felony counts, which he had indicated he would consider reducing to misdemeanors if she followed his terms, including paying restitution to the victims.

• She was not in court for the hearing, however, because she has been deported due to her illegal immigration status, and she has not made any restitution. [...] The sentencing hearing was postponed to March 17.

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• Investigators said Diaz took part in a scam whereby victims whose homes were in or nearing default paid her money to refinance their homes, but she didn’t complete the process. Diaz has been deported to Mexico, according to her attorney, Catherine Swysen. “I do find good cause for her not appearing today,” Bullard replied to that information.

For the story, see Sentencing postponed in mortgage scam case.