Wayne Michael Rozenberg Exonerated of Bail Bond Scam

I recall hearing about this case several years ago. Where criminal defense attorneys and bail agents from San Bernardino were indicted because of a San Bernardino County investigation of illegal practices among the bail bond companies in the area.

Wayne Michael Rozenberg was among nearly 30 attorneys and bail bond employees facing the conspiracy charge. He was exonerated of the charge yesterday morning in court. Rozenberg's attorney, Richard Pintal, said his client was "factually innocent."

Floyd Tidwell, the former San Bernardino County Sheriff was also a party to this investigation and was sentenced early on in November of 2004. Danial Blayne Tidwell, owner of Boone's Bail Bonds and son of the former sheriff is due in court on February 22, 2008, for his arraignment. He is one of approximately 15 people who originally fought the allegations and did not take a plea agreement.

Attorney Gary Zerola Out On $100,000 Bail Bond

Gary Zerola was named one of People magazine's most eligible bachelors. A prominent criminal defense attorney in Boston, who worked as a state prosecutor on child abuse and domestic violence cases prior to venturing into his own practice.

Zerola was also well known in his philanthropic circles as an advocate for foster children and he was regularly mentioned in newspapers. He graduated from Suffolk University, where he earned degrees in law and public administration.

Unfortunately, these days Zerola awaits back-to-back trials for the alleged rape of two women. In the 2004 case, Zerola stands accused of repeatedly raping a woman in his apartment. In the 2006 case, he is accused of raping the woman after she turned down his sexual advances.

It looks like Zerola's attorney, Janice Bassil, has her work cut out for her.

O.C. Defense Attorney Pleads Guilty to Payoff

Joseph Cavallo, a high profile criminal defense attorney, pleaded guilty to illegally paying off bail bonds agents to get him clients from the Orange County Jail.

Prosecutors claim that Cavallo paid Castro, a bail bond agent, $50,000.00 between June 2003 and August 2005.

John Barnett, Cavallo's attorney, mentioned to reporters that his client is willing to serve any sentence deemed appropriate.

Bail Bondsmen Sentenced In Orange County

Unfortunately, it is never a pleasure to write about pitfalls and individuals in our industry, but time has proven over and over again, that greed and unethical conduct within the bail bond industry can only hurt the public's perception of our profession.

Jorge Andres Castro, 31, of Aliso Viejo, and Alejandro De Jesus Cruz, of Miami, pleaded guilty in February to two felonies. They were sentenced this past Friday.

Castro was the owner of the bail bond company in Santa Ana, and Cruz worked as an operator at the agency. They admitted to referring inmates to Joseph Cavallo, a criminal defense attorney,and Cavallo paid them for the illegal soliciting of business.

Joseph Cavallo became well-known after defending Greg Haidl, the son of the former assistant sheriff. Cavallo is due back in court, whose trial is set for October 22, 2007.