Bondsman charged with theft

WHITTIER - A bail bondsman accused of misappropriating $30,000 from a client was arrested last week, the District Attorney's office has announced.Arturo Miramontes, 40, is charged with two counts of grand theft by embezzlement. Miramontes is a licensed bail bondsman at Rodeo Bail Bonds in Whittier. According to a felony complaint, the victim contacted Miramontes in late 2007 to secure a bail bond, and handed over $30,000 as cash collateral. The victim's court case was completed and his bail was exonerated. Miramontes allegedly failed to return the cash collateral to the victim. Miramontes is also accused of embezzling funds from the insurance company for which he wrote the bond. If convicted, Miramontes faces more than three years in prison. Bail was recommended at $40,000.

********** Published: July 8, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 12