Instead, she chose to facilitate and become an accomplice to his scheme, said Special Agent in Charge John V. Gillies of the FBIs Miami Division. Employer/Source. With time off for good behavior, most. But, more information came to light, providing a fuller picture of what . 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. He told her that he didn't believe Tony would kill her because if he was going to do that, he already would have. Psychologist Lori Butts, who has been treating Villegas since the Ponzi schemes collapse in fall 2009, said Villegas knew she was committing a crime but was loyal to Rothstein who employed her for 17 years. We will all suffer this loss as long as we live, but we forgive you. He remains incarcerated at the Columbia Correctional Institution in Lake City, Florida. by 2Paragraphs in Culture | March 2, 2017. The whole family was extremely proud of her. The defense didnt provide an alternative motive for the murder but stressed reasonable doubt. "There's now and forever a gaping hole and a lot of what if she were here in our hearts and our minds," said Leiws' auntLynn Haberl. She won early release for cooperating with the state. Deborah Villegas view Deborah Villegas FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - The ex-wife of the man accused of killing Plantation attorney Melissa Britt Lewis, then dumping her body in a canal, has taken the stand against him. what time does fnaf 1 take place. September 1, 2021 A young, ambitious lawyer at a law firm in Florida was brutally murdered back in March 2008. MORE NEWS: COVID-19 Testing Site Finder Updated Oct 9, 2010, 12:00am EDT. Tony Villegas faces the death penalty if. Another Florida Inmate Claims To Have Been Dumped Sheriff Gee calls for independent jail investigation. Welcome to Plathville: Kim Plath Arrested for DUI in 2022. In 2019, he completed his master's degree in urban planning and public policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago.. Melissa returned from work sometime in the evening on March 5, 2008, but she didnt show up the next day. Debra Villegas' roommate testified that when he came home the day of Lewis's disappearance, he found Tony Villegas washing pepper spray off of his hands and arms. Both Debra and her children stated that he was abusive. Authorities have released little information about a motive. Her success and busy work did not keep her from her family, especially her nieces, whom she was very close to. heasked. Her 10-year prison term was reduced because she cooperated. Debra S (Papania) Villegas Debra Villegas (born 1951) Jump to: Bio . $10 million fine and a lifetime of supervised release. Villegas' attorney, Bruce Fleisher, said pieces of the prosecutor's puzzle are missing and will cast doubt in the eyes of the jury. Phone Ad. Freda Hancock: Competed in Track, Coach. Mobile number (909) 821-4395 . I'm sure you'll love the subject inside of The Man Who Invented Vegemite. Filter by State in Public Records for Debra Villegas Found We found 15 entries for Debra Villegas in the United States. Villegas pleaded guilty in the Scott Rothstein Ponzi scheme and was sentenced to 10 years in prison . She said she and Lewis armed themselves against his threats. The following people are relatives or close associates of Debra . Debra Snook: Competed in Billiards. Debra Villegas testified at her ex-husbands trial in June 2016. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Find Debra Villegas. Her lawyer confirmed that she has been cooperating with authorities since the beginning of the investigation into Rothstein's crimes. Find Debra Villegas's phone number, address, and email on Spokeo, the leading people search directory for contact information and public records. Incidentally, her estranged husband, Tony Villegas, accused of murdering her best friend and former Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler attorney. Vendor, lawmakers suggest cutting $11 million from Ruling: Bush can't order hearing for condemned Mex Florida Legislature makes formal apology for slavery, Georgia man convicted in 1997 Daytona Beach killing. Debra Villegas has been associated with two companies, according to public records. This morning, Debra Villegas, the law firm employee who allegedly helped disgraced lawyer Scott Rothstein run his $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme, pled not guilty to a charge of money laundering in federal court in Fort Lauderdale -- a move that observers say was just a formality. There was speculation of the murder being related to Scott Rothsteins Ponzi scheme, but Melissa was never implicated in that case. Their older sister, Aimee Villegas, who alsoworked at the Rothstein firm, was never mentioned during the hearing but sat beside them. Please enter valid email address to continue. Lewis was a law partner of notorious convicted Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein. Tony forcedone of her children to sleep in a dog crate at one point,Butts testified, and "[Debra] went into the dog crate with her child and refused to leave." I'm going to win in the end.'". One by one, the dominoes in this billion-dollar Ponzi scheme are falling, said U.S. Attorney Willy Ferrer. This morning, Debra Villegas, the law firm employee who allegedly helped disgraced lawyer Scott Rothstein run his $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme, pled not guilty to a charge of money laundering in federal court in Fort Lauderdale -- a move that observers say was just a formality. She will be released on $250,000 bail. He broke the corruption story[2] of $1 billion Ponzi scheme operator Scott Rothstein's October 27, 2009 flight to Morocco under suspicious circumstances. June 21, 2016 / 3:14 PM If the judge agrees, that could pave . "I asked him how he got it on him and he told me he was going through some boxes and the bottle burst on him and that is how he got it on him," Pascual testified. Villegas's next court appearance is scheduled for May 13. Deborah Villegas Found 57 people in California, Texas and 25 other states View contact information: phones, addresses, emails and networks. Facebook gives people the power. She said Villegas was "abducted" by two men from the bar and raped. Following the verdict, the judge immediately sentenced him to life in prison. imprisonment of 46 months for his conduct in criminal case no. Despite conspiracy theories early on, investigators say Lewis was never a part of Rothstein's $1.6 billion Ponzi scheme and her death had nothing to do with him. Debra L Villegas from Jurupa Valley, CA. Dalia Dippolito May Have Tried to Kill Him, But Michael Dippolito Is No Saint, Florida Man Wrestles Shark For Forty Five Minutes, Florida to Execute Death Row Prisoner Donald Dillbeck in February, "We Are Everywhere": Ominous Messages on Anti-Abortion Counseling Centers Prompt Federal Charges, So You're Saying There's (Still) a Chance: Dolphins Playoff Chances Dwindle After 26-20 Loss, Trashed American Flag Sparks Capitol Hill Kerfuffle, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. View the profiles of people named Debra Villegas. asked Zloch. Zero of the companies are still active while the remaining two are now listed as inactive. The hearing hit its dramatic zenith during testimony from Villegas' psychologist regarding her youth, which she said was marred by an alcoholic mother, living on her own in a truck at the age of 15, and rape. Debra Villegas Found We found 15 entries for Debra Villegas in the United States. She won early release for cooperating with the state. [Related:Dateline Lawyer Scott Rothsteins Ex-Wife Hid $1 Million Jewelry], Andrew Dice Clay Says Lance Bass Playing Possum on My Kitchen Rules, 2012-2023, 2paragraphs Productions, LLC, Dateline Lawyer Scott Rothsteins Ex-Wife Hid $1 Million Jewelry. The third result is Debra Ann Villegas age 60s in Lakeport, CA. Debra Villegas pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy in a 1?-hour hearing. The homicide occurred in the home in the Englewood Chicago neighborhood. For her role in Rothstein's Ponzi scheme, Debra Villegas was sentenced to 10-years in prison. "Was she totally familiar with the operation at the law firm or was she some lost soul?" In addition, the court found the defendant jointly liable for $363 million in restitution, and ordered the forfeiture of certain assets. Debra Coffey, the ex-wife of Tony Villegas, who is charged with murdering her best friend Melissa Britt Lewis, took the stand to testify against him Tuesday. The Bibliometrix package in R was used to conduct quantitative analyses including the trends in publications . Addresses, phones, email, criminal data & more. Transcript for Subway Push Suspect Denied Bail. Dalia Dippolito May Have Tried to Kill Him, But Michael Dippolito Is No Saint, Florida Man Wrestles Shark For Forty Five Minutes, Florida to Execute Death Row Prisoner Donald Dillbeck in February, "We Are Everywhere": Ominous Messages on Anti-Abortion Counseling Centers Prompt Federal Charges, So You're Saying There's (Still) a Chance: Dolphins Playoff Chances Dwindle After 26-20 Loss, Trashed American Flag Sparks Capitol Hill Kerfuffle, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. View phone number. Please enable javascript and reload the page to submit comment. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Join the New Times community and help support independent South Florida's independent She faces 10 years in prison at sentencing Aug. 20. Captured - Texas Department of Public Safety Tony Villegas Found Guilty in Murder of Former Scott . They have also lived in Kelseyville, CA and Santa Clara, CA. Debra has lived at this Houston, TX address for about 25 years, after moving in around August of 1997. Debra Villegas, RRA's chief operating officer, was released from prison Dec. 18, 2014 after serving 3 1/2 years. Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Services Criminal Investigation Division. For money laundering charges, term of custody up to 20 years' imprisonment, a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved, and three years of supervised release. In her first interview, Debra Villegas speaks to Dennis Murphy about the billion dollar Ponzi scheme run by Scott Rothstein. Sacramento. Steve McMichael and wife, Misty, in their home on May 1, 2022. He maintains that he was framed. Email addresses. At the firm, one of Melissas closest friends was Debra Villegas, who was the COO. He moved to Chicago in 1999 to attend North Park University, where he later received a bachelor's degree in psychology and music. "She kind ofruled the law firm.". Tonys DNA was found on the jacket Melissa had been wearing on the night of her murder. debra villegas released. Sometimes Debra goes by various nicknames including Debra R Villegas. Facebook gives people. Investigators said a struggle took place inside her garage, using DNA and pings from her cell phone to allegedly connect Villegas to the crime. You will have enough time to read all pages pages in your spare time. The name Debra Villegas has over 15 birth records, 1 death records, 6 criminal/court records, 56 address records, 11 phone records & more. Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein's "right hand" woman, Debra Villegas, was charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering Tuesday in connection with his $1.2 billion scheme. Get current address, phone, email and more for Debra Villegas or anyone else 100% free. The Business . / CBS Miami. Villegas didn'tvisibly react to the sentence butbegan crying afterward outside the courtroom. Debra Villegas, RRA's chief operating officer, was released from prison Dec. 18, 2014 after serving 3 1/2 years. Pursuant to the scheme, funds would be sent from investors by interstate wire transfer to financial institutions. March 13, 1990. Early life, education, and career. Butts then moved on tothe defendant'sallegedly abusive 17-year marriage to Tony Villegas. The defense is expected to plant the suggestion that Rothstein was behind Lewis' murder because, as an attorney said in an earlier civil proceedings, "she knew too much.". Debra is related to Crystal Nichole Villegas and Elexis Villegas as well as 2 additional people. His DNA was found on the jacket Melissa wore that day, and tracking towers show that he carried her cell phone on him while he rode the rails at work. California. She could have been a hero, not a convicted felon. Zloch asked her. Prosecutors and investigators do not believe that the murder had anything to do with the $1.6 billion scheme, but that Villegas blamed Lewis for the breakup of his marriage. Then, a legal issue that her firm was embroiled in only added to the chaos. View the profiles of people named Debra Villegas. Debra Villegas, who has been released following a federal prison term for her role in the Ponzi scheme, took the stand during the trial. On December 1, 2009, Rothstein turned himself in to authorities and was . Villegas will have to surrender to authorities next June 24 so that she can continue to cooperate with federal investigators on the case. "No," said Butts, who later said that if Villegas was taken from her children, "they wouldn't survive" and that they are "scared to death" of their father, who has been jailed since he was charged in the murder and had a competency hearing today. Villegas pleaded guilty in the Scott Rothstein Ponzi scheme and was sentenced to 10 years in prison . Dozens of children in U.S. face life in prison, Jail Inmate Complains Marshall-Jones Abused Her. . A Broward jury found Tony Villegas guilty of 1st degree. Facebook gives people the power. Debra Villegas - Scientology Service Completions Note: Preliminary analysis suggests that about 60% of people who try Scientology do only a single course or service, that 80% of new members become inactive within 2 years, and that 65% of those who reach the level of Clear become inactive within a year after doing so. He was a member of the Logan Square Neighborhood . Ex-legal exec gets 10-year sentence in Ponzi scam. Debras son, Caleb, later testified that his father didnt like that. The judge has forbidden the defense from bringing Rothstein into the murder trial, but that could change if any witnesses make unsolicited reference to the Ponzi schemer. Debbie Villegas is on Facebook. Woman 'beaten'at same police station as man dumped Polk deputies charged with delivering drugs to inmate, Woman Describes Night Girl Was Killed in Romeo House, Jury Recommends Death In Pasco Girl's Murder, Bond hearing set in slaying of Lauderdale lawyer, Inmate tries to hang himself in Riviera Beach cell. The Dateline episode Betrayed investigates the 2008 death of Melissa Lewis, 39, a rising star attorney at South Floridas prestigious law firm Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler. Many female criminals need therapy, not confinemen Florida agencies face deep cuts across board, Stripper says judge shielded her from creditors. In a press release, John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge of . A pest exterminator also came by Melissas home to find the garage door open and her car missing, an ominous sign. More arrests are expected in the case, one of the largest fraud schemes ever in South Florida. First published on June 21, 2016 / 3:14 PM. Scott W. Rothstein (born June 10, 1962) is a disbarred lawyer, convicted felon, and the former managing shareholder, chairman, and chief executive officer of the now-defunct Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler law firm.He funded an extravagant lifestyle with a $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme, one of the largest such in history. Currently, Debra is single. Where was the concern for your children when you were engaging in this criminal activity? he asked. It was a huge, grave mistake.". Prosecutors and Villegas' attorney said she is cooperating with investigators. A button that had been torn of it was found on her garage floor. Attorneys Alison Lehr, Michelle Alvarez, and Evelyn Sheehan. The 42-year-old Villegas could get 10 years in prison . We know that Debra S Papania Villegas had been residing in Texas . "All you need is one reasonable doubt as to the guilt of Tony Villegas and the judge will tell you that you have to find him not guilty," Fleisher said. Debra Villegas, left, appealed for leniency because her children were already traumatized by the murder charge their father is facing in the death of Melissa Britt Lewis, at right. Debra Villegas is 55 years old. Lewis was the best friend of Villegas now ex-wife Debra, who was the COO of the now defunct law firm. More this Friday at 10p/9c on NBC. These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands, From Haiti Through Liberty City to Top Federal Prosecutor in South Florida: the Unlikely Story of Markenzy Lapointe, This 26-Year-Old Pays $0 to Live in a Luxury Tiny Home' She Built for $35,000 in Her Backyard Take a Look Inside. My mind was not where it should have been, Villegas replied. More than $363 million in restitution is owed by Rothstein, Villegas and possibly others. Jump to Sections of this page Terry P Villegas . Debra lived in Honolulu, Hawaii 96826, USA. Fast and Free people search. In the same month, Tony was sentenced to life in prison. It's hard to think of something Steve "Mongo . Debra Villegas received the maximum sentence of ten years in prison this morning for her role in the massive Scott Rothstein Ponzi scheme. Around the time Debra separated from Tony, Melissa grew closer to her. "I was just thinking about gettinghome to take care of my children. Controversial Jail Video Spurs Meeting, Independen Budget crunch can't stifle influx of prison inmates, Ex-lawman's new calling: helping prisoners repent, Fla. to have its first black female chief justice. Before receiving a 10-year sentence, Villegas re-married in 2010 to 39-year-old Daniel Coffey in Pembroke Pines. debville1@sbcglobal.net . "No, she admitted shehad knowledge of thescheme,"answeredAssistant U.S. AttorneyJeffrey Kaplan answered. March 3, 2017 Best of NBC News Play All NBC News. 21-468 (FAB). debra villegas released liz spoke and weal julho 1, 2022. report abandoned car victoria police Villegas was a conductor on the train. Combien gagne t il d argent ? Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. Tony Villegas' DNA was found on Lewis suit jacket in her abandoned SUV, according to court records which also stated that a button that had been torn from it was found on her garage floor. "She didn't even know what a Ponzi scheme was," Butts said on the stand. Join the New Times community and help support independent And Butts said that even prior to the murder of her best friend, Melissa Britt Lewis, a crime police allege Villegas' husband, Tony Villegas, committed, Debra Villegas suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder that was only intensified by the murder and her belief that if she didn't falsify documents and forge signatures for Rothstein, he would be killed by the Mafia. Villegas was declared incompetent to stand trial in 2010 and avoided a trial until he was cleared by the state. Lewis was the best friend of Villegas ex. Villegas, convicted in 1995 for the murder of two teens, was released on bond after a court of appeals ruled his defense was inefficient during the 1995 trial. Butts saidTony Villegas "threatened her life on numerous occasions" andwas continuously abusive to her children. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. Then it was finally Villegas' turn to take the podium. 2018. Debra Villegas 's Record in 2018. She always wanted to be a lawyer, and her dream came true after university. By Rick Telander. A witness stated that she saw a car similar to Tonys in the parking lot where Melissas car was eventually found. Sometimes Debra goes by various nicknames including Debra R Villegas. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer stated, One by one, the dominos in this billion dollar Ponzi scheme are falling. Butts reiterated the story told at the previous plea hearing that Rothstein had told Villegas she needed to assist him in a Mafia-run money-laundering operation and that Villegas believed that if she didn't help him, he would be killed. The two spent a lot of time together, with Melissa cooking for her children and going out on family vacations with them. Accountant at Ameresco SW Tempe, Arizona, United States 29 followers 28 connections Join to connect Ameresco SW University of Phoenix Experience Sr Accountant Ameresco SW 2011. Your articles help me a lot in all mediums of subjects.wrongful death cases, Lawyer for Naeem Davis, 30, says his client was provoked by the victim, Ki-Suck Han.
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