30 plead not guilty to SD gang's bank fraud scam

The Associated Press
Published: Thursday, May. 14, 2009 - 9:54 pm

SAN DIEGO -- More than 30 people have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and other charges stemming from a bank fraud scheme in which gang members allegedly cheated a San Diego credit union out of $500,000.

District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis says the alleged scam is the first time a violent street gang has been involved in bank fraud in the state.

Prosecutors say gang members, who were arraigned Thursday, recruited acquaintances who had accounts at Navy Federal Credit Union and offered them a portion of their take.

On Wednesday, 60 defendants were indicted and charged collectively with 347 felony counts, including conspiracy, grand theft, money laundering, forgery and burglary.

Dumanis says the scam shows gangs are moving from street corner crime to complex fraud.

http://www.sacbee.com/state_wire/story/1863534.html