People v. Cota CA4/1

I. INTRODUCTION

While representing the buyer and seller in a real estate transaction, Cecilia Cota inflated a property’s purchase price by $20,000 and diverted that money to herself. After pleading no contest to acting as a real estate agent without a license, the trial court ordered Cota to pay $20,000 in restitution to the buyer. Cota appeals the restitution order, arguing the record is insufficient to allow meaningful appellate review. She alternatively asserts the restitution order is unsupported. We disagree with both claims and affirm.

II. BACKGROUND1

In 2018, Cota represented Miguel Casarez as the seller, and Beatriz Rosales as the buyer, of two vacant lots in Imperial County (Property). Cota was not a licensed real estate agent. Casarez told Cota he wanted $75,000 for the Property, but she informed him that price was too high. After about a month Cota told Casarez that she found a buyer for $55,000. Casarez agreed to that amount because he needed the money and Cota said the buyer would not pay more for the vacant lots. Casarez also agreed to a $1,200 commission for Cota, which would come out of the purchase price. Cota told Rosales, however, the price of the Property…