Fresno hairstylist, Anthony David Flores, has officially pled guilty to a multi-million dollar fraud scheme targeting a mentally ill Malibu doctor. Flores reportedly manipulated this physician out of more than $2.7 million, with attempts to claim an additional $20 million from the victim's estate following his death.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California released a statement yesterday, detailing Flores', also known as "Anton David," plea to nine felony counts. He and his co-defendant, Anna Rene Moore, used the victim's—and investor's—compromised mental state to gain both personal and financial access.
By positioning themselves as the victim's "best friends," Moore swiftly maneuvered her way into the victim’s life. She even moved into his Malibu beachfront property, establishing a strong presence without compensating for rent.
In a not rather unexpected turn, Flores persuaded the victim into signing powers of attorney. With newfound financial control, he and Moore used the victim's funds, isolating him from loved ones and promoting his mental decline through a consistent offering of marijuana and LSD.
Flores notoriously manipulated the ill victim to make large withdrawals from his brokerage account during LSD-influenced episodes, a drug illicitly provided to, by Flores.
Even after the victim's passing in May 2018, Flores and Moore further extracted money from his account, concealed financial transfers from his immediate family, and attempted to wash their bank accounts of the stolen proceeds. Their fraud expanded to the audacious claim that the victim had promised them a portion of his estate—a statement found baseless in court.
However, Flores and Moore were halted thanks to a timely lawsuit. They were ordered to rescind their false estate claims and refund $1 million to the victim's assets, a commitment they have yet to fulfill.
Flores faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each fraud count and could potentially be charged for money laundering and conspiracy to commit the same. Moore's sentencing is set for January 22, 2024.
