Rita Ortiz, a woman from Los Angeles, has been arrested for filing false liens against homeowners in Benedict Canyon. The police have charged her with submitting fake documents, and she is currently in jail with a bail set at $700,000.
Recently, Ortiz filed multiple liens claiming a staggering $24.6 million for services like cleaning. However, many homeowners say they never hired her. For instance, Marjorie Josaphat received an additional lien of $98.5 million and insists she has no idea who Ortiz is. This situation has left residents confused and concerned.
Ortiz visited ABC7 last week to share her side. She claimed she was entitled to payment and said there was no police investigation. Interestingly, Ortiz also faced an eviction from a property where she had recorded seven other liens.
The LAPD confirmed that properties beyond Benedict Canyon, including those in Riverside County, have been affected. Ortiz markets herself as a real estate consultant and runs Ortiz Consulting LLC, but the LAPD noted she isn’t licensed to provide any real estate services. They suspect she may have offered dubious “services” under a nonprofit called “Make Your Dreams Come True.”
This case raises questions about how vulnerable homeowners can be to fraudulent schemes. It’s a stark reminder of the importance of verifying any services and claims before engaging in contracts.
As this story develops, it serves as a lesson for others in the community about staying vigilant against potential fraud.
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