Gardena man convicted of swindling investors out of more than $1M

A Gardena man has been convicted of 52 felony counts for swindling more than $1 million from investors -- most of whom he met at real estate seminars, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced Tuesday.

Anthony Roy Martinez, 68, was found guilty last week of 16 counts of grand theft and 18 counts each of sale of securities without qualification and using false statements in the sale of a security, according to the District Attorney's Office.

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Martinez met most of the 22 victims at real estate seminars in California and other states between 2011 and 2016, and, as a guest speaker, presented investment opportunities involving the purchase of non-performing second trust deeds as well as direct investments into his uncertified company, Asset Ventures, LLC, prosecutors said.

He was taken into custody after the jury's verdict and was being held without bail while awaiting his sentencing May 15 at the Burbank courthouse, jail records show.

"This guilty verdict sends a clear message that fraudulent schemes targeting innocent investors will not be tolerated in our communities," District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement announcing the verdict. "I commend the diligence of the jury and their commitment to justice, resulting in holding the perpetrator accountable for his deceitful actions."

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