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Five Convicted In Phony Debt Collection Scheme In Ventura County

Five people have been convicted in Ventura County of what prosecutors  call a fraudulent debt collection scheme.

The prosecutors say over a five year period, Timothy Burke and Deisi Rivera of Las Vegas ran a string of fraudulent debt collection agencies in the county.

They offered collection services to businesses, and individuals.  The companies would collect upfront fees, but never provide collection services.  And, prosecutors say in cases where they did collect money, they would keep the money instead of paying the client.

Burke and Rivera each pled guilty to 21 felony counts.  Burke is already serving a six year prison sentence, and Rivera a five year sentence.  Three other defendants have pled guilty to related charges, but have yet to be sentenced.

Lance Orozco has been News Director of KCLU since 2001, providing award-winning coverage of some of the biggest news events in the region, including the Thomas and Woolsey brush fires, the deadly Montecito debris flow, the Borderline Bar and Grill attack, and Ronald Reagan's funeral. 
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