This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
This Ain't No Bake Sale: PTA Moms Charged in Multimillion Dollar Ponzi Scheme
Three former Diamond Bar PTA members were charged on Tuesday with allegedly operating a scheme that defrauded their victims out of millions of dollars.
41-year old Maricela Barajas (a.k.a. Maricela Torres) and 50-year old Juliana Menefee were arrested at their Diamond Bar homes on Tuesday following a six month fraud investigation by detectives from the Commercial Crimes Bureau of the L.A. County Sheriff's Department. A third suspect, 51-year old Eva Perez of Chino, is currently incarcerated in state prison on previous charges and now faces additional charges from this case.
More than 40 investors were victimized in the suspects' ponzi scheme, some losing their life savings. Approximately $4 million was retained by the suspects out of a total $14 million invested, accounting for more than $1.5 million in losses, according to the L.A. County Sheriff's Department. It is speculated that the suspects used the remaining $2.5 million for lavish vacations, expensive hotels, new cars, and splurging at casinos in California and Nevada.
Perez, Barajas and Menefee claimed to have the exclusive right to sell AltaDena Dairy products at Disneyland, Disney Hotels and to small retailers and told investors they needed funds to grow the business and offered lucrative rates of return of up to 100%, according to the report.
All transactions were done in cash and the victims losses ranged from the lowest amount of $5,000.00 to as much as $208,000.00. The victims were given serialized receipts commonly available in stationary stores.
The known victims reside in Chino, Diamond Bar, Gardena, Granada Hills, Lawndale, Los Angeles, North Hollywood, Norwalk, Pacoima, Pico Rivera, Pomona, Rancho Cucamonga, Redondo Beach, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Fe Springs, South Gate, Torrance, Whittier, Wilmington, and Salt Lake City, Utah.
None of the money has been recovered. Suspects Perez, Barajas and Menefee could face up to 20 years each in California State Prison if convicted on the 22 felony charges, including seven counts of Grand Theft and 15 counts of Securities Fraud.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
