San Diego executives Sterling Pirtle and Ronald Fisher plead guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and tax evasion. Both Fisher and Pirtle were principles in the business, Commercial Money Center, now bankrupt, which would sell lease pools to banks that contained $70 million in fraudulent leases.
Nationwide, the company received more than $300 million through its sale of fraudulent leases.The business’ main location was in Escondido but also had offices in Las Vegas and Florida. Each admitted that they failed to pay personal income taxes of one million dollars on money they received through their company. Fisher’s son, mark Fisher, and daughter, Kelly Fisher, previously plead guilty to conspiracy and or tax evasion charges for their involvement in the bank fraud.
$70-Million Bank Fraud Catches Up to Two Businessmen, The San Diego 6 CW, June 26, 2009
Both Pirtle and Fisher will be sentenced in November and face prison commitments. Fisher’s daughter, Kelly, was sentenced to prison back in 2007. Again, bank fraud and white collar crimes are on the rise. A knowledgeable and competent criminal defense attorney can defend these type of charges and reduce the charges and or sentence.