Temecula bail agent arrested on charges of falsifying evidence and perjury
News: 2023 Press Release
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Bail agent Fausto Atilano, 60, of Temecula, was arrested today on multiple felony counts of falsifying judicial records, perjury, and preparing false evidence, after a Department of Insurance investigation found he allegedly created fraudulent motions to deprive the courts from bail bond payments which resulted in a loss of over $528,000.
The Department initiated an investigation after receiving information alleging Atilano, owner of Fausto's Bail Bonds, submitted fraudulent bail bond exoneration motions to the Riverside County courts. The exoneration motions indicated Atilano located fugitives in Mexico. However, multiple county defendants were interviewed and claimed they were never located in Mexico.
The investigation determined Atilano used cooperating local officials in Mexico and look-alike subjects to pose for photographs and complete fraudulent documentation certifying a fugitive had been located in Mexico. As a result of Atilano’s scheme, the bonds were exonerated by the courts and Atilano was no longer responsible for paying the bonds. Each exoneration resulted in a loss of thousands or tens of thousands of dollars to Riverside County.
Atilano’s license was previously restricted from October 10, 2017, through July 8, 2021, for a prior Department action and prohibited him from conducting any fugitive recovery actions during that period.
Atilano is currently being held on $529,000 bail. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting this case.
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Led by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, the California Department of Insurance is the consumer protection agency for the nation's largest insurance marketplace and safeguards all of the state’s consumers by fairly regulating the insurance industry. Under the Commissioner’s direction, the Department uses its authority to protect Californians from insurance rates that are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, oversee insurer solvency to pay claims, set standards for agents and broker licensing, perform market conduct reviews of insurance companies, resolve consumer complaints, and investigate and prosecute insurance fraud. Consumers are urged to call 1-800-927-4357 with any questions or contact us at www.insurance.ca.gov via webform or online chat. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800-927-4357. Teletypewriter (TTY), please dial 800-482-4833.
