California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the sentencing of Lesley Danielle Pinola and her sister, Rita Ann Tiffiany Martinez, for stealing approximately $272,000 from a 66-year-old woman who resided at A Place Called Home II, a residential care facility located in Escalon, CA. In San Joaquin County Superior Court, Pinola previously pled no contest to one felony count of theft from an elder or dependent adult and was sentenced to 180 days in jail and two years of felony probation. Martinez previously pled no contest to a misdemeanor charge of receiving stolen property and was sentenced to 90 days in jail and one year of probation.
An investigation by the California Department of Justice revealed that Pinola, a facility administrator at A Place Called Home II, convinced the victim to provide checks totaling over $272,000, to which she had no right collecting. Martinez assisted with the theft by allowing large amounts of stolen money to be deposited into her bank accounts. The victim subsequently passed away from serious health issues. In her final will and trust, the victim requested to donate 50% of the proceeds of her estate to Doctors Without Borders USA, and 50% to Shriners Hospitals for Children — Northern California. The defendants’ fraudulent actions significantly deprived the victim of these final wishes. As part of today’s agreement, both Pinola and Martinez were required to immediately pay $240,000 back into the victim’s estate, and Pinola will be required to pay back the remaining amount while serving probation. The entire amount of approximately $272,000 will ultimately be paid back to the victim’s estate and distributed to the two charities listed in the victim’s will and trust.
