PART-OWNER AND TWO MANAGERS OF DOUGLAS NISSAN SENTENCED FOR DEFRAUDING CUSTOMERS AND BANKS IN THEFT CONSPIRACY

PART-OWNER AND TWO MANAGERS OF DOUGLAS NISSAN SENTENCED FOR DEFRAUDING CUSTOMERS AND BANKS IN THEFT CONSPIRACY

*A fourth co-defendant is a fugitive in this case

SANTA ANA – A part-owner and two managers of Douglas Nissan in Orange were sentenced today for their role in an elaborate conspiracy to steal unsuspecting customer identities and defraud banks in the sale of used cars. Part-Owner Frank Ignacio Urbano, 57, Anaheim, and desk managers Luz Belem Corral, 29, Costa Mesa, and Kevin Allen DeRosier, 31, Anaheim, pleaded guilty May 6, 2011, to felonies including 43 counts of forgery, 31 counts of grand theft, and two counts of conspiracy. Corral additionally pleaded guilty to one felony count of perjury by declaration. Urbano was sentenced to one year in jail and 10 years in state prison suspended pending successful completion of five years of formal probation. DeRosier was sentenced to 240 days in jail and five years of formal probation. Corral was sentenced to 360 days in jail and five years of formal probation.

A fourth defendant is a fugitive with a $2 million warrant in this case. Marwan Abdellatif, 49, formerly of Lakewood, was charged Nov. 5, 2010, with one felony count of failing to appear in court. He is also charged in the Douglas Nissan case with 43 felony counts of forgery, 31 felony counts of grand theft, one felony count of conspiracy to defraud another of property, and one felony count of conspiracy to commit a crime. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 38 years in state prison. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to call their local police department’s non-emergency number or Supervising District Attorney Investigator Eric Akerlind at (714) 347-8691.

ORIGIN OF CASE

In April 2007, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) began investigating possible fraudulent activity at Douglas car dealerships. The OCDA discovered that between 2005 and 2007, more than two dozen relevant police reports were filed with the Orange Police Department regarding Douglas Nissan of Orange. More than 100 complaints had been filed with the DMV and Better Business Bureau about Douglas Nissan and the other dealerships for unfair business practices.

Investigators from the OCDA searched Douglas Nissan at 1140 West Katella Avenue in Orange on July 9, 2007. Evidence was seized including two computers, electronic data from four additional computers, and approximately 350 boxes containing approximately 12,000 car transaction dealer jackets. Each dealer jacket contained several documents including contracts, credit reports, applications, warranty and insurance information, and other documentation relevant to the sale or lease of a vehicle. The felony charges in this case represent only the most egregious acts, focusing on 31 fraudulent transactions and representing a small percentage of the large volume of evidence.

THE CONSPIRACY

At the time of the crime, Urbano was a minority share owner and general manager of Douglas Nissan responsible for day-to-day operations. Corral, DeRosier, and Abdellatif were desk managers who supervised dealership sales staff, secured documentation and financing for vehicle sales, and signed off on all car sale deals.