"Rothstein was somewhat tied into organized crime. debra villegas is a United States Buyer, the following trade report data is derived from its trade data; the company's import data up to 2020-08-10 total 2 transactions. "Yes, your honor," she answered. Despite a psychologist's testimony that Debra Villegas suffered from post-traumatic stress syndrome brought on by a lifetime of abuse by her mother and ex . "No, she admitted shehad knowledge of thescheme,"answeredAssistant U.S. AttorneyJeffrey Kaplan answered. Butts saidTony Villegas "threatened her life on numerous occasions" andwas continuously abusive to her children. The whole family was extremely proud of her. Deborah Villegas view Deborah Villegas In an information on Tuesday,. County. She was going to be the next matriarch in the family and she was just taken away just like that," said LaPointe. Find Debra Villegas's phone number, address, and email on Spokeo, the leading people search directory for contact information and public records. Mr. Villegas. Rothstein instead told her that he believed Tony was a "coward. She had been strangled to death. Melissas car was found later in a parking lot not too far from the bodys location. "With this selfish act of jealousy, you not only violated our family but your own too. "She did as she was told. Her body was found in a canal near her home. Her co-workers were worried and looked for her. Debra Villegas, 47, was granted a reduction to her 10-year prison sentence by U.S. District Judge William Zloch. Prosecutors claimed Villegas motive was revenge as he blamed Lewis for his failing marriage. Tracking records showed Lewis' cell phone went back and forth between Broward and Miami-Dade along the FEC train line after her death. MORE NEWS: COVID-19 Testing Site Finder Updated Oct 9, 2010, 12:00am EDT. [Left: Dateline compares the murder of Melissa Lewis to a John Grisham novel] But it was Debra's estranged husband,. Then it was finally Villegas' turn to take the podium. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. For her role in Rothstein's Ponzi scheme, Debra Villegas was sentenced to 10-years in prison. Villegas attorney Robert Stickney described how Rothstein had helped Villegas and her two teenage sons escape an abusive marriage, eventually giving her a $407,000 house in a gated suburb and a $130,000 Maserati car. Dalia Dippolito May Have Tried to Kill Him, But Michael Dippolito Is No Saint, Florida Man Wrestles Shark For Forty Five Minutes, Florida to Execute Death Row Prisoner Donald Dillbeck in February, "We Are Everywhere": Ominous Messages on Anti-Abortion Counseling Centers Prompt Federal Charges, So You're Saying There's (Still) a Chance: Dolphins Playoff Chances Dwindle After 26-20 Loss, Trashed American Flag Sparks Capitol Hill Kerfuffle, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. A young, ambitious lawyer at a law firm in Florida was brutally murdered back in March 2008. Debra Coffey, the ex-wife of Tony Villegas, who is charged with murdering her best friend Melissa Britt Lewis, took the stand to testify against him Tuesday. Debra was released from jail in 2014 after serving three and a half years. There was speculation of the murder being related to Scott Rothsteins Ponzi scheme, but Melissa was never implicated in that case. Debra Villegas Sr. and help keep the future of New Times, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. They had ample evidence pointing to his guilt. "I thought it was a one-time thing. These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands, From Haiti Through Liberty City to Top Federal Prosecutor in South Florida: the Unlikely Story of Markenzy Lapointe, This 26-Year-Old Pays $0 to Live in a Luxury Tiny Home' She Built for $35,000 in Her Backyard Take a Look Inside. Debra Villegas was sentenced to 10-years in after pleading guilty to her role in Rothstein's scheme. Debra Villegas is 54 yrs old and lives on Rose Arbor Ln in Houston, TX. Meantime, Villegas says he's innocent and hislawyerBruce Fleishersaid the outcome might have been differentif he hadbeen allowed to talkabout Rothstein during the trial. 21-468 (FAB). Psychologist Lori Butts, who has been treating Villegas since the Ponzi schemes collapse in fall 2009, said Villegas knew she was committing a crime but was loyal to Rothstein who employed her for 17 years. March 13, 1990. Name: Debra D Villegas, Phone number: (517) 487-8402, State: MI, City: Eaton Rapids, Zip Code: 48827 and more information The two spent a lot of time together, with Melissa cooking for her children and going out on family vacations with them. Fast and Free people search. Debra Villegas received the maximum sentence of ten years in prison this morning for her role in the massive Scott Rothstein Ponzi scheme. Transcript for Subway Push Suspect Denied Bail. / CBS Miami. This morning, Debra Villegas, the law firm employee who allegedly helped disgraced lawyer Scott Rothstein run his $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme, pled not guilty to a charge of money laundering in federal court in Fort Lauderdale -- a move that observers say was just a formality. One of the most recent records in 2021 lists a job of Ombudsman 2 and a pay of $24.27/HR. Investigation Discovery's 'Six Degrees of Murder: Going Places' delves into this very case. Prosecutors say Tony Villegas, who has pleaded not guilty, killed Lewis because she was helping Debra Villegas escape their relationship. This morning, Debra Villegas, the law firm employee who allegedly helped disgraced lawyer Scott Rothstein run his $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme, pled not guilty to a charge of money laundering in federal court in Fort Lauderdale -- a move that observers say was just a formality. Police found pepper spray residue in the garage of Lewis home. He received a 50-year sentence. Dalia Dippolito May Have Tried to Kill Him, But Michael Dippolito Is No Saint, Florida Man Wrestles Shark For Forty Five Minutes, Florida to Execute Death Row Prisoner Donald Dillbeck in February, "We Are Everywhere": Ominous Messages on Anti-Abortion Counseling Centers Prompt Federal Charges, So You're Saying There's (Still) a Chance: Dolphins Playoff Chances Dwindle After 26-20 Loss, Trashed American Flag Sparks Capitol Hill Kerfuffle, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. The former chief operating officer at the law firm run by convicted Ponzi scheme operator Scott Rothstein was sentenced Friday to the maximum 10 years in federal prison for her role in the $1.2 billion fraud. Prosecutors and Villegas' attorney said she is cooperating with investigators. Then the murder came, and my head wasn't where it should have been," said Villegas. Sacramento. And Debra Sennefelder is the author you'll most look forward to reading in 2022. In July 2016, Tony was found guilty of first-degree murder. Debra was estranged from her husband, Tony Villegas, at the time. By Charlotte Dean For Mailonline. "There's now and forever a gaping hole and a lot of what if she were here in our hearts and our minds," said Leiws' auntLynn Haberl. This postwill be updated, certainly after the sentencing. Villegas was a conductor on the train. debville1@sbcglobal.net . Butts testified that Villegas moved out of her home at age 15 and lived in a truck while completing high school and working in a bar. More this Friday at 10p/9c on NBC. Former Chief Operating Officer of Ft. Lauderdale Law Firm Sentenced in Connection with Money Laundering Conspiracy in Operation of Ponzi Scheme "We talked about it, neither one of us wanted a gun, she was living alone so she felt she needed something to, you know I was going through a difficult divorce and living on my own as well, so I decided on a Taser and she decided on pepper spray," Villegas testified. Tony Villegas, now 52, was arrested in 2008 and charged with the death of Melissa Britt Lewis. Most recently, a government contractor, Mario Villegas was sentenced to a term of. Scott Rothstein's right-hand woman, Debra Villegas, isscheduled tobe sentenced tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. at the federal courthouse. Rick Telander/Sun-Times. Their older sister, Aimee Villegas, who alsoworked at the Rothstein firm, was never mentioned during the hearing but sat beside them. Zero of the companies are still active while the remaining two are now listed as inactive. Debra S (Papania) Villegas Debra Villegas (born 1951) Jump to: Bio . She was 30 years of age when she was fatally shot . Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. Debra, who was by then divorced and went by the last name Coffey, testified that Tony had threatened both of them in the past. The Dateline episode Betrayed investigates the 2008 death of Melissa Lewis, 39, a rising star attorney at South Floridas prestigious law firm Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov. debra villegas released Value Added IT Distribution Six Degrees of Murder (TV Series 2016- ) - IMDb According to Debra Villegas, her friendship with slain Rothstein attorney Melissa Britt Lewis was an extraordinarily close bond and a support system, not a sexual thing. . This is not the last to fall.. Prosecutors say Villegas' ex, Tony Villegas, killed Lewis in March, 2008 because he blamed her for the breakup of his marriage. Villegas won early release for cooperating in . In a press release, John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge of . That's when Zloch announced his sentence: 120 months, the maximum allowed under law. Check resumes and CV, social media profiles, public records, skilled experts, places of employment, photos and videos, arrest records, business records and memorials . In addition, the court found the defendant jointly liable for $363 million in restitution, and ordered the forfeiture of certain assets. Terry P Villegas . But, more information came to light, providing a fuller picture of what . Her lawyer confirmed that she has been cooperating with authorities since the beginning of the investigation into Rothstein's crimes. Currently, Debra is single. The name Debra Villegas has over 15 birth records, 1 death records, 6 criminal/court records, 56 address records, 11 phone records & more. Debra Villegas - $34,100 in Political Contributions for 2008, Campaign Finance, Money, American politics, American political campaign contributions, presidential campaign contributions If the judge agrees, that could pave . Debra was released from jail in 2014 after serving three and a half years. Instead, she chose to facilitate and become an accomplice to his scheme, said Special Agent in Charge John V. Gillies of the FBIs Miami Division. This morning, Debra Villegas, the law firm employee who allegedly helped disgraced lawyer Scott Rothstein run his $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme, pled not guilty to a charge of money laundering in federal court in Fort Lauderdale -- a move that observers say was just a formality. Villegas had no reaction to being found guilty. He convinced investors to buy stakes in bogus lawsuit settlements. Lewis was a law partner of notorious convicted Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein. Lewis was ambushed at her Plantation home, strangled and then her body was dumped in a canal. In the same month, Tony was sentenced to life in prison. Your articles help me a lot in all mediums of subjects.wrongful death cases, Lawyer for Naeem Davis, 30, says his client was provoked by the victim, Ki-Suck Han. Even those public officials who have chosen to turn themselves in and waive . Debra was released from jail in 2014 after serving three and a half years. It is unknown if. She forged. The Ponzi scheme involved the sale of purported confidential settlement agreements in sexual harassment and/or whistle blower cases that were purportedly handled by attorneys at Rothstein, Rosenfeldt and Adler, PA. Sometime in 2002, she married a lawyer, but that ended in divorce about five years later. Debras son, Caleb, later testified that his father didnt like that. The third result is Debra Ann Villegas age 60s in Lakeport, CA. Residential Address: When it came time for her tohave her own say, Villegas gave a very short apology. She said during their nasty divorce her husband told her something that may have foreshadowed violence. '"But you and your friends will be sorry. Rothstein, who is serving a 50-year prison sentence, is also cooperating with investigators. On June 11, 2010, Villegas pled guilty to a criminal Information charging that she and co-conspirators participated in an investment scheme, commonly known as a Ponzi scheme. "'You think you're on top now,'" she quoted him as saying. It was found in her car. Might as well start this up now. Villegas chose not to speak after the verdict was read. "Where wasthe concern for your children when you were involved in this criminal activity?" One by one, the dominoes in this billion-dollar Ponzi scheme are falling, said U.S. Attorney Willy Ferrer. Villegas ex-husband, Tony Villegas, is jailed awaiting trial in the March 2008 slaying of a former Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler attorney, Melissa Britt Lewis. She is expected to negotiate a plea deal. Investigation Discoverys Six Degrees of Murder: Going Places delves into this very case. Debra R Villegas, 55 Lives in San Diego, CA. We know that Debra S Papania Villegas had been residing in Texas . Villegas was a conductor on the train. Also known as: Ms Debra Villegas, Ms Debra L Villegas. was a partner of Individual B and was arrested as part of the same investigation as Mr. Benitez. "You falsified the signatures of plaintiffs?" Attorneys Lawrence D. LaVecchio, Paul F. Schwartz and Jeffrey N. Kaplan and Forfeiture Assistant U.S. Both Debra and her children stated that he was abusive. She won early release for cooperating with the state. Villegas didn'tvisibly react to the sentence butbegan crying afterward outside the courtroom. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. U.S. District Judge William Zloch also took the unusual step of allowing Villegas to remain free until June 24, 2011, so she can assist in the ongoing investigation . By Rick Telander. View Background Report Sponsored. . Debra Villegas entered the plea Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale federal court. It is unknown if Rothstein, who is currently serving a 50 year term, will be called. Tonys DNA was found on the jacket Melissa had been wearing on the night of her murder. She won early release for cooperating with the state. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. . Debra Villegas pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy in a 1?-hour hearing. He said Tony Villegas' DNA was found on Lewis suit jacket in her abandoned SUV. That's when Zlochdropped thecentral question of the hearing on Villegas. ", Rothstein told her that he would protect her from Tony, that he would make sure she was "safe at all times." Lewiswas a law partner of notorious convicted Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein. Welcome to Plathville: Kim Plath Arrested for DUI in 2022. On Monday, four witnesses testified for the state, including Villegas' roommate, Wilset Pascual, who said he saw Villegas, at home, scrubbing mace off his hands after the killing. Villegas's next court appearance is scheduled for May 13. Another Florida Inmate Claims To Have Been Dumped Sheriff Gee calls for independent jail investigation. I'm going to win in the end.'". The song was released as the album's fourth single in the United States in mid . Both Debra and her children stated that he was abusive. La Spata was born in South Plainfield, New Jersey in 1981. Debra Villegas, who has been released following a federal prison term for her role in one of the largest Ponzi schemes, is expected to testify as is the couple's son. . Debra L Villegas from Jurupa Valley, CA. Share. Debra Villegas, who has been released following a federal prison term for her role in one of the largest Ponzi schemes, is expected to testify as is the couple's son. Landline number (951) 685-0487 . Public records do not indicate that Debra Villegas is currently married. However, his estranged wife Debra Villegas contends that her husband was jealous of her close friendship with Lewis. Currently, Debra is single. He was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. "No," said Butts, who later said that if Villegas was taken from her children, "they wouldn't survive" and that they are "scared to death" of their father, who has been jailed since he was charged in the murder and had a competency hearing today. Debra Villegas 's Record in 2018. When it was the government's turn,Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Schwartz noted that at some point during the course of the Ponzi scheme and prior to its collapse, Villegassaid toanother RRA employee, "We're all going to jail.". Prosecutors and investigators do not believe that the murder had anything to do with the $1.6 billion scheme, but that Villegas blamed Lewis for the breakup of his marriage. The 42-year-old Villegas could get 10 years in prison . This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Mr. Rothstein along with another gentleman created the documents.". Join the New Times community and help support independent She also spoke after the verdict. The long awaited murder trial of a Fort Lauderdale man charged with killing a former law partner of notorious Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein is now underway. Prosecutors said he killed Melissa Britt Lewis in March 2008 because he blamed her for the break up of the marriage with his wife Debra, who was Lewis' best friend. Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office; and Daniel W. Auer, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CID), announced that Debra Villegas, 43, formerly the Chief Operating officer of the Ft. Lauderdale law firm of Rothstein, Rosenfeldt & Adler, was sentenced today in Ft. Lauderdale by U.S. District Judge William J. Zloch to 120 months incarceration. For her role in Rothstein's Ponzi scheme, Debra Villegas was sentenced to 10-years in prison. source of local news and culture. Debra Villegas' roommate testified that when he came home the day of Lewis's disappearance, he found Tony Villegas washing pepper spray off of his hands and arms. A man who had rented Tony a room stated that he saw him wash his hands and arms to remove pepper spray residue. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected.
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