VAN NUYS : Final Arguments Start in Fraud Trial
The motives and truthfulness of alleged victims emerged as prime issues as final arguments got under way Monday in Van Nuys Superior Court in the fraud trial of Mark R. Weinberg.
Weinberg, 37, a onetime Beverly Hills commodities broker and television producer, is charged with defrauding wealthy clients of more than $1 million by diverting to his own use money they gave him for investments.
Alleged victims of the schemes include John Paul Jones De Joria, president of John Paul Mitchell Systems, a Santa Clarita-based hair products company, and Susan Aubrey, daughter of former CBS President James Aubrey.
If convicted on all 12 counts--four of grand theft and eight of writing bad checks--Weinberg, who is in jail in lieu of $850,000 bail, could be imprisoned for 10 years, said the prosecutor, Deputy Atty. Gen. Tricia Ann Bigelow.
Jurors are expected to begin deliberations today.
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