A Los Angeles woman was formally charged with 25 felony counts of real estate fraud Monday in connection to a dozen falsely filed mechanics liens accusing Los Angeles County homeowners of millions of dollars in unpaid contracting work<\/p>\n
The suspect, 58-year-old Rita Ortiz, now faces more than 24 years in state prison, if convicted. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman called the investigation \u201cone of the most egregious cases of alleged real estate fraud\u201d he\u2019s ever seen.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe homeowner victims in this case cannot sell their property until these liens are cleared,\u201d Hochman said. \u201cOur Real Estate Fraud Section will do everything in our power to seek justice for these individuals. Once convicted, we will additionally seek a court order to clear title for all who have been victimized by the defendant.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to court records, Ortiz filed 24 mechanics liens and one grant deed against 10 properties in L.A. County between September of 2023 and February of 2026. The alleged real estate fraud cost the victims of the case more than $500,000 in losses, the DA\u2019s office said.<\/p>\n
The liens falsely stated that property owners owed Ortiz amounts ranging from $800,000 to $98 million.<\/p>\n
Ortiz was arraigned at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center. She pleaded not guilty to 25 felony counts of knowingly causing a false instrument to be recorded in a public office.<\/p>\n
Ortiz\u2019s bail was set at $700,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 12 at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.<\/p>\n
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n