Press Releases
CALIFORNIA MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT MAIL AND WIRE FRAUD
September 10, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JAMES ZOUCHA, 67, a resident of Oceanside, California pled guilty today before the Honorable Carl J. Barbier, United States District Judge, to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.
According to the court documents, ZOUCHA’S co-defendant, Gwendolyn Joseph Moyo, was twice convicted in the District of Arizona for conspiracy to defraud the United States; making false statements; mail fraud; wire fraud; and fraudulent use of a Social Security number; all felony crimes involving dishonesty and breach of trust. Those convictions occurred in 1989 and 1991 and MOYO was sentenced to a nine (9) year term of imprisonment. Despite being prohibited from participating in the insurance business because of her prior convictions, Moyo, through her companies, AA Communications and Capital Management Asset Group, marketed construction bonds to contractors and other entities that had difficulty placing coverage in the standard market. In essence, Moyo’s clients paid her for worthless payment, performance, or bid bonds then completed the job without anyone being the wiser. ZOUCHA went in the bonding business with Moyo, acting as the President of AA Communications, essentially a “straw man” or nominee for Moyo, generally facilitating the business while keeping Moyo’s name off the legal documentation. Moyo, ZOUCHA, AA Communications, and CMAG were neither licensed nor authorized to transact insurance in California, Louisiana, nor any other state.
Sentencing has been scheduled for January 7, 2009. ZOUCHA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five (5) years, a fine of $250,000.00 and three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael W. Magner, Gregory Kennedy, and Daniel Friel.
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