Crisp pleads not guilty to mortgage fraud charges
By THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN
Former Realtor David Crisp pleaded not guilty when he appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nita Stormes in San Diego Monday, according to a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Mortgage fraud indictments against Crisp and nine others, including his former business partner, Carl Cole, were unsealed Friday.
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David Crisp
All but Crisp and former loan officer Jayson Costa entered not guilty pleas on Friday and were released until their next appearance in federal court in Fresno, which is set for Feb. 11. Costa pleaded not guilty but remains at Lerdo Jail. He has a detention hearing scheduled for Tuesday in Fresno.
Crisp remains in custody, as well. Probation needed more time to set the conditions for release, said Lauren Horwood, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Ten people connected to Crisp & Cole Real Estate have been charged with fraud, money-laundering and conspiracy, and five others have accepted plea deals for fraud and aiding and abetting.
Three of Crisp's in-laws -- Kevin and Leslie Sluga and Megan Balod -- are among those who have accepted deals. Their sentencing has been delayed to give them time to cooperate with authorities pursuing the other prosecutions.
The Slugas and former operations manager Julie Farmer declined to comment Monday through their attorneys.
The other defendants could not be reached for comment.
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