| For Immediate Release Case # 12CF0348 April 2, 2012 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
MAN CHARGED FOR STEALING OVER $280,000 FROM WOMAN IN FAKE GOLD INVESTMENT SCHEME
SANTA ANA – A man was charged and arraigned today for stealing over $280,000 from a woman in a fake gold investment scheme. William Scott Spalding, 47, Irvine, is charged with 13 felony counts of money laundering, three felony counts of grand theft and one felony count of first degree residential burglary. He faces sentencing enhancement allegations for having a non-accomplice present during a residential burglary, committing a theft over $100,000, committing an aggravated white collar crime over $100,000, property loss over $200,000, and laundering money exceeding $150,000. Spalding faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in state prison if convicted. He is currently being held on $285,000 bail and is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing April 6, 2012, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
On March 6, 2011, Spalding is accused of visiting a 51-year-old Jane Doe, whom he met through an acquaintance, at her home. He is accused of claiming to be an investor and promising large returns on her investment if she bought gold from him.
On March 13, 2011, Spalding is accused of receiving $58,000 in cash from Jane Doe. The next day, Spalding is accused of receiving another $180,000 from Jane Doe through a wire transfer. On March 23, 2011, Spalding is accused of receiving another $50,000 from Jane Doe. Spalding is accused of distributing the money across multiple personal bank accounts and spending the money on expensive personal purchases including a high-end Mercedes Benz and payments on a house. Spalding is accused of using the money for personal use and never purchasing the gold he promised or providing the victim with her money back.
Detectives from the Huntington Beach Police Department fraud unit investigated this case. Deputy District Attorney Marc Labreche of the Major Fraud Unit is prosecuting this case.
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