Marin County authorities have leveled charges against two individuals in a mortgage fraud scheme that siphoned $900,000 from an elderly resident, the Marin County District Attorney's Office announced last Friday. The accused, Ronnie Curtis Baker, 58, of Solano, and Kimberly Mallory, 52, of Napa, face multiple felony violations, including elder abuse, theft, forgery, and money laundering.
According to the Marin County District Attorney's Office, the 12-count complaint details the alleged fraud by Baker, who posed as a licensed contractor. Mallory, a notary public, is accused of aiding him in these crimes. The victim is an 80-year-old resident of Marin County, and the investigation stems from August 2022, when the DA's Real Estate Fraud Unit first flagged the irregularities.
"Elder fraud targets our most vulnerable community members, and unfortunately these pervasive and predatory crimes happen far too often in Marin,” District Attorney Lori Frugoli said, as per the Marin County District Attorney's Office. The charged individuals could face significant prison time if convicted; Baker could see up to 23 years, while Mallory faces up to 9 years. They may also be fined, doubling the amount taken from the victim.
Baker's arrest came on July 25th, following a search warrant carried out at his residence by the Northern California Computer Crimes Task Force. Mallory turned herself into the Marin County Jail the day after the complaint was filed. The DA's Office's unit, which looks into real estate fraud, relies on fees from the Marin County Recorder's Office and aims to investigate and educate on the risks of such fraud. "We file charges when we have evidence to prove crimes beyond a reasonable doubt. These charges are allegations at this point until proven in court,” DA Frugoli added, as cited by the Marin County District Attorney's Office.
