Ten charged in fraud said to target Irvine real estate office
Dec. 28, 2015 Updated 6:02 p.m.
By KELLY PUENTE / STAFF WRITER
A 42-year-old woman pleaded not guilty on Monday to multiple felony charges alleging a real estate company's Irvine office was defrauded of $1.4 million.
Michele Lynne Stewart, who was arrested on Christmas day, is charged with more than two dozen felony counts of forgery and theft, according to court records. Nine other defendants have been charged in the case and are all listed as fugitives, according to court records.
The other defendants are Brian Vancleave, Robert Morken, Jennifer Vancleave, Joe Chang, Joon Kim, Rebecca Kim, Tomy Lam, Bryce Jacot and Jimmy Lam.
Stewart is accused of taking 28 fraudulent checks for a total of $240,880 from a manager of First Team Real Estate's Irvine office from September 2011 through April 2012, according to court records.
Co-defendant Brian Vancleave ran the office's risk management division, which handled claims, settlements and legal services, according to court records. Vancleave is accused of issuing 228 fraudulent checks for more than $1.4 million to friends and relatives, according to court records.
Stewart is due back in court on Jan. 5.
-City News Service contributed to this report.
Contact the writer: kpuente@ocregister.com
Dec. 28, 2015 Updated 6:02 p.m.
By KELLY PUENTE / STAFF WRITER
A 42-year-old woman pleaded not guilty on Monday to multiple felony charges alleging a real estate company's Irvine office was defrauded of $1.4 million.
Michele Lynne Stewart, who was arrested on Christmas day, is charged with more than two dozen felony counts of forgery and theft, according to court records. Nine other defendants have been charged in the case and are all listed as fugitives, according to court records.
The other defendants are Brian Vancleave, Robert Morken, Jennifer Vancleave, Joe Chang, Joon Kim, Rebecca Kim, Tomy Lam, Bryce Jacot and Jimmy Lam.
Stewart is accused of taking 28 fraudulent checks for a total of $240,880 from a manager of First Team Real Estate's Irvine office from September 2011 through April 2012, according to court records.
Co-defendant Brian Vancleave ran the office's risk management division, which handled claims, settlements and legal services, according to court records. Vancleave is accused of issuing 228 fraudulent checks for more than $1.4 million to friends and relatives, according to court records.
Stewart is due back in court on Jan. 5.
-City News Service contributed to this report.
Contact the writer: kpuente@ocregister.com