Two people charged with real estate fraud

Two people have been charged with real estate fraud in the use of a "straw borrower" to obtain two mortgage loans totaling more than $500,000 for a Moorpark home, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Antonio Pena, of Moorpark, was arrested Wednesday. Claudia Xochitl Gil, of San Fernando, appeared in court today after learning about the charges from her lawyer and was taken into custody, prosecutor Dominic Kardum said.

Gil was arraigned when she appeared in court and pleaded not guilty, Kardum said. Pena is due back in court this month, Kardum said.

Pena and Gil posted bail and remain free, Kardum said.

Pena, 39, is charged with two counts of grand theft and one count of money laundering. He also is charged with stealing more than $65,000 in one transaction and more than $200,000 in another transaction, Kardum said.

There is an enhanced charge against Pena for stealing more than $100,000 while committing two or more felonies, Kardum said.

Gil, 38, is charged with three counts of forgery and two counts of fraud related to a deed of trust, Kardum said. She has a real estate license and was formerly a licensed notary public.

Pena used a straw borrower to get two loans of more than $500,000 in the course of refinancing the debt on the home in the 4800 block of Pemrose Avenue in Moorpark, authorities said. A straw borrower is someone with a good credit profile who is used to conceal the identity of the true borrower.

Gil forged the signatures of at least two people involved in the real estate transaction and fraudulently notarized signatures on deeds of trust.

If convicted of all charges, Pena faces up to six years and eight months in prison. Gil faces four years and eight months in custody, Kardum said.