People v. Means CA2/6

FACTS

Means was a former law enforcement officer and a licensed real estate agent. In 2006, she purchased a six-acre undeveloped parcel of real property near Marissa Lane in Camarillo. She hoped to develop the parcel into four lots and sell them. To facilitate the purchase, Means borrowed $300,000 from real estate investor, John Maddux, who agreed to purchase one of the lots. Means also applied to Countrywide Home Loans for a mortgage in the amount of $534,584. In her Countrywide loan application, Means stated that no part of the down payment for the purchase of the parcel was borrowed. Means placed into escrow $10,000 of her own money and $138,000 of the Maddux loan. The balance of the purchase was paid by the proceeds of the Countrywide loan. Countrywide’s mortgage encumbered the entire six-acre parcel.

GRAND THEFT OF RAY STUMP’S AND WILLIAM CLAYTON’S MONEY

(Counts 1 and 2) In 2007, Means ran an advertisement for the sale of one-acre lots at “half price, $300,000.” Ray Stump responded to the advertisement. Means told Stump she was a retired police officer. This caused Stump to trust her. She told Stump she planned to divide the six-acre parcel into four lots. She told him she…