When it was the government's turn,Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Schwartz noted that at some point during the course of the Ponzi scheme and prior to its collapse, Villegassaid toanother RRA employee, "We're all going to jail.". This study explored heart failure and depression-related research from a bibliometric perspective.MethodsRelevant publications were searched on June 24, 2022. Tony Villegas, now 52, was arrested in 2008 and charged with the death of Melissa Britt Lewis. Phone Ad. The message we are sending is loud and clear: those who assist others in swindling investors out of their hard-earned money will be aggressively investigated, prosecuted and brought to justice, said IRS Special Agent in Charge Daniel W. Auer. When the police investigated they found a web of fraud, betrayal and more than $1 billion in missing money. Debra Villegas Found We found 15 entries for Debra Villegas in the United States. She will be released on $250,000 bail. In brief remarks to the judge, Villegas expressed remorse and asked for mercy on behalf of her two children. "Was she totally familiar with the operation at the law firm or was she some lost soul?" Debra Villegas, who has been released following a federal prison term for her role in one of the largest Ponzi schemes, is expected to testify as is the couple's son. Villegas's next court appearance is scheduled for May 13. On June 11, 2010, Villegas pled guilty to a criminal Information charging that she and co-conspirators participated in an investment scheme, commonly known as a Ponzi scheme. ", Zloch interrupted Butts to ask: "You're not saying loyalty excuses criminal activity, are you?". For her role in Rothstein's $1.6 billion Ponzi scheme, she was sentenced to 10-years in prison. Rothstein was sentenced to 50 years in prison. Her lawyer confirmed that she has been cooperating with authorities since the beginning of the investigation into Rothstein's crimes. View the profiles of people named Debra Diana Villegas. Debra Villegas, 47, was granted a reduction to her 10-year prison sentence by U.S. District Judge William Zloch. She said she and Lewis armed themselves against his threats. The defense didnt provide an alternative motive for the murder but stressed reasonable doubt. The hearing hit its dramatic zenith during testimony from Villegas' psychologist regarding her youth, which she said was marred by an alcoholic mother, living on her own in a truck at the age of 15, and rape. Despite conspiracy theories early on, investigators say Lewis was never a part of Rothstein's $1.6 billion Ponzi scheme and her death had nothing to do with him. Woman 'beaten'at same police station as man dumped Polk deputies charged with delivering drugs to inmate, Woman Describes Night Girl Was Killed in Romeo House, Jury Recommends Death In Pasco Girl's Murder, Bond hearing set in slaying of Lauderdale lawyer, Inmate tries to hang himself in Riviera Beach cell. April 28, 2010 She also spoke after the verdict. Share. Rothstein instead told her that he believed Tony was a "coward. Debra was estranged from her husband, Tony Villegas, at the time. This morning, Debra Villegas, the law firm employee who allegedly helped disgraced lawyer Scott Rothstein run his $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme, pled not guilty to a charge of money laundering in federal court in Fort Lauderdale -- a move that observers say was just a formality. Watch. He maintains that he was framed. This morning, Debra Villegas, the law firm employee who allegedly helped disgraced lawyer Scott Rothstein run his $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme, pled not guilty to a charge of money laundering in federal court in Fort Lauderdale -- a move that observers say was just a formality. Debras son, Caleb, later testified that his father didnt like that. Facebook gives people. Mr. Villegas. Work: - San Diego MET High . [Left: Dateline compares the murder of Melissa Lewis to a John Grisham novel] But it was Debra's estranged husband,. FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - The verdict is in for a man accused of killing a Plantation attorney and then dumping her body in a canal. Select this result to view Debra Lynne Villegas's phone number, address, and more. She won early release for cooperating with the state. "There's now and forever a gaping hole and a lot of what if she were here in our hearts and our minds," said Leiws' auntLynn Haberl. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. But she insisted she only did so because Rothstein told her he was being threatened by Mafia figures if the fraudulent deals didnt get done. Please enable javascript and reload the page to submit comment. Butts then moved on tothe defendant'sallegedly abusive 17-year marriage to Tony Villegas. Debra Villegas received the maximum sentence of ten years in prison this morning for her role in the massive Scott Rothstein Ponzi scheme. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Rothstein was sentenced to 50 years in prison. State of Texas records show Debra A Villegas held one job from 2017 to 2021. Also known as: Ms Debra Villegas, Ms Debra L Villegas. Her 10-year prison term was reduced because she cooperated. The thirty year old street vendor who police say pushed -- -- to his death on the subway personal injury lawyer, A Plea For Justice: The Timothy Cole Story, Actual Innocence: When Justice Goes Wrong and How to Make it Right, Fitted in: Cardiff 3 and the Lynette White Inquiry, The Death of Justice: Guilty Until Proven Innocent, Baby Snatcher's Criminal Record May Halt Release. U.S. District Judge William Zloch also took the unusual step of allowing Villegas to remain free until June 24, 2011, so she can assist in the ongoing investigation . It was a huge, grave mistake.". Debra R Villegas, 55 Lives in San Diego, CA. And Butts said that even prior to the murder of her best friend, Melissa Britt Lewis, a crime police allege Villegas' husband, Tony Villegas, committed, Debra Villegas suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder that was only intensified by the murder and her belief that if she didn't falsify documents and forge signatures for Rothstein, he would be killed by the Mafia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov. The Ponzi scheme involved the sale of purported confidential settlement agreements in sexual harassment and/or whistle blower cases that were purportedly handled by attorneys at Rothstein, Rosenfeldt and Adler, PA. Then the murder came, and my head wasn't where it should have been," said Villegas. Villegas attorney Robert Stickney described how Rothstein had helped Villegas and her two teenage sons escape an abusive marriage, eventually giving her a $407,000 house in a gated suburb and a $130,000 Maserati car. The two spent a lot of time together, with Melissa cooking for her children and going out on family vacations with them. The authorities earlier confirmed that pepper spray had been used in the garage. Debra Villegas was born on 06/28/1966 and is 55 years old. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. The two spent a lot of time together, with Melissa cooking for her children and going out on family vacations with them. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Prosecutors say Villegas helped Rothstein prepare fake court settlements used to lure investors. Join Facebook to connect with Debra Villegas and others you may know. Ut enim ad minim veniam laboris. Debra Villegas was called the most important person to help Scott Rothstein's law firm maintain the facade that defrauded investors of about $430 million in losses. The beloved 39-year-old initially worked at a hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, before she got her GED and went to college. dennis malloy wikipedia; 335th infantry regiment, 84th infantry division; chris bey net worth They had ample evidence pointing to his guilt. She won early release for cooperating with the state. The latest Tweets from MsDebyV (@debravillegas): "RT to #VoiceSaveNoah https://t.co/YDdp1BoCst" The gifts of prison sentences keep coming, thanks to Scott Rothstein.Debra Villegas, the second in command for Rothstein's gigantic Ponzi scheme, surrendered to her new home at a minimum-security federal prison last week to begin her ten-year sentence.Villegas, now 44, pleaded guilty last year to forging legal documents and laundering. Debra Villegas, who has been released following a federal prison term for her role in the Ponzi scheme, took the stand during the trial. ", "She feels extremely horrible that she believed in that," said Butts, referring to the fact thatTonyis accused of killing Lewis in March 2008. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. "We talked about it, neither one of us wanted a gun, she was living alone so she felt she needed something to, you know I was going through a difficult divorce and living on my own as well, so I decided on a Taser and she decided on pepper spray," Villegas testified. In a press release, John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge of . A button that had been torn of it was found on her garage floor. Debra Villegas entered the plea Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale federal court. The Business . Dalia Dippolito May Have Tried to Kill Him, But Michael Dippolito Is No Saint, Florida Man Wrestles Shark For Forty Five Minutes, Florida to Execute Death Row Prisoner Donald Dillbeck in February, "We Are Everywhere": Ominous Messages on Anti-Abortion Counseling Centers Prompt Federal Charges, So You're Saying There's (Still) a Chance: Dolphins Playoff Chances Dwindle After 26-20 Loss, Trashed American Flag Sparks Capitol Hill Kerfuffle, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. But it was Debras estranged husband, train conductorTony Villegas,who was accused of murderingLewis. His DNA was found on the jacket Melissa wore that day, and tracking towers show that he carried her cell phone on him while he rode the rails at work. "She felt like Mr. Rothstein saved her life and the lives of her children, unfortunately at the expense of Mrs. Britt Lewis.". Uncategorized debra villegas released what happened at the brook of kishon Posted on July 3, 2022 Posted in jalen rose molly qerim age difference witching hour swoncho The manufacturer who released this beautiful book is . Debra Villegas' roommate testified that when he came home the day of Lewis's disappearance, he found Tony Villegas washing pepper spray off of his hands and arms. Debra Villegas, RRA's chief operating officer, was released from prison Dec. 18, 2014 after serving 3 1/2 years. . Debra S Papania Villegas was born c. 1951. Villegas didn'tvisibly react to the sentence butbegan crying afterward outside the courtroom. In the same month, Tony was sentenced to life in prison. Villegas was a conductor on the train. Debra Villegas, who has been released following a federal prison term for her role in one of the largest Ponzi schemes, is expected to testify as is the couple's son. Both have since been forfeited to the government and will be sold. One of the most recent records in 2021 lists a job of Ombudsman 2 and a pay of $24.27/HR. The search for her ended in tragedy when her body was found in a canal. I'm going to win in the end.'". Debra Pamela Villegas 1952 2006 Debra Pamela Villegas in U.S. Social Security Death Index (SSDI) Debra Pamela Villegas was born on November 16 1952. County. Debra was released from jail in 2014 after serving three and a half years. The hearing hit its dramatic zenith during testimony from Villegas' psychologist regarding her youth, which she said was marred by an alcoholic mother, living on her own in a truck at the age of 15, and rape. Personal details about Debra include: political affiliation is unknown; ethnicity is Hispanic American; and religious views are listed as Christian. Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Services Criminal Investigation Division. Before receiving a 10-year sentence, Villegas re-married in 2010 to 39-year-old Daniel Coffey in Pembroke Pines. The Boys & Girls Club will host a blood drive Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the clubhouse, located at 26301 Garbani Road. Updated Oct 9, 2010, 12:00am EDT. Dateline NBC airs Fridays at 10pm. Quince to be Florida's first African-American fema Judge prods attorneys to speed things up for Fort Another murder suspect gets tentative trial date. On Monday, four witnesses testified for the state, including Villegas' roommate, Wilset Pascual, who said he saw Villegas, at home, scrubbing mace off his hands after the killing. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. According to the charges and statements made in court during her plea, Villegas participated in the scheme by assisting with the fabrication of names for fictitious plaintiffs and defendants who were purportedly parties in the confidential settlements. 2001 Sonja Melton: Competed in . The murder trial of a Fort Lauderdale man charged with killing a former law partner of notorious Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein will begin. debra villegas releasedteams work better when the organizational structure. Debra Villegas, who has been released following a federal prison term for her role in one of the largest Ponzi schemes, is expected to testify as is the couple's son. Former Chief Operating Officer of Ft. Lauderdale Law Firm Sentenced in Connection with Money Laundering Conspiracy in Operation of Ponzi Scheme 100% FREE! Prosecutors and Villegas' attorney said she is cooperating with investigators. He told her that he didn't believe Tony would kill her because if he was going to do that, he already would have. Zloch asked her. [Left: Dateline compares the murder of Melissa Lewis to a John Grisham novel]. It is a message to all that if you choose greed over integrity, you will have to pay the price.. "No," said Butts, who later said that if Villegas was taken from her children, "they wouldn't survive" and that they are "scared to death" of their father, who has been jailed since he was charged in the murder and had a competency hearing today. and help keep the future of New Times, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. He received a 50-year sentence. For her role in Rothstein's Ponzi scheme, Debra Villegas was sentenced to 10-years in prison. Deborah Villegas view Deborah Villegas Even those public officials who have chosen to turn themselves in and waive . At the firm, one of Melissa's closest friends was Debra Villegas, who was the COO. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Kaplan, however, said Villegas was key to a fraud that affected hundreds of people who lost some $430 million, most of which is gone forever. "She didn't even know what a Ponzi scheme was," Butts said on the stand. We know that Debra S Papania Villegas had been residing in Texas . Police found pepper spray residue in the garage of Lewis home. Tony Villegas, now 52, was arrested in 2008 and charged with the death of Melissa Britt Lewis. Villegas pleaded guilty in the Scott Rothstein Ponzi scheme and was sentenced to 10 years in prison . Fast and Free! Prosecutors said he killed Melissa Britt Lewis in March 2008 because he blamed her for the break up of the marriage with his wife Debra, who was Lewis' best friend. He moved to Chicago in 1999 to attend North Park University, where he later received a bachelor's degree in psychology and music.