Stefan Mahaley, 52, Moreno Valley, California, suspected of committing real estate fraud, was arraigned on multiple counts of Forgery and Procuring and Offering False or Forged Instrument.
The defendant is suspected of forging and filing several fraudulent real estate documents at the San Bernardino County Recorder’s Office, which is a felony offense in the State of California.
After the sale was complete, the defendant allegedly filed fraudulent documents granting the property back to him in an attempt to reclaim the home.
Following the investigation, the District Attorney’s Office filed eight felony charges against Mahaley and he was arrested without incident May 14, 2013, by investigators from the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office at his place of employment in Los Angeles.
Mahaley was transported to San Bernardino County and booked at the West Valley Detention Center.
If convicted as charged, Mahaley faces 7 years and 8 months in state prison. Deputy District Attorney Vance Welch will prosecute this case.
“During the course of our investigation, it was discovered that Mr. Mahaley had purchased a home in the City of Fontana, which eventually went into foreclosure and was sold to a new buyer through a public auction,” said Senior Investigator Jaime Samaniego, who is assigned to the case.
