The below article was in the Bakersfield Californian and I thought it was horribly sad. This man should have known better. Now sitting in a jail cell, the bail bondsman cannot afford his own bail.
BY JORGE BARRIENTOS, Californian staff writer, Thursday, Dec 4 2008 12:20 PM
The Bakersfield bondsman accused of tricking and coercing clients into giving up property that had been put up for bail has about four to six month to live, his doctor confirmed Thursday. Joaquin Cruz has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and has trouble affording all the prescription medication. He was recently arrested on suspicion of 13 felonies in connection with defrauding clients of his bail bonds business. Joaquin Gracilazo Cruz, 65, has pancreatic cancer that in recent weeks has started growing rapidly, Dr. Ravi Patel said.
“His cancer is aggressive, and his life span is short,” Patel said.
Cruz and his wife, Eduvina Diana Chacon, 57, pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Kern County court. They are accused of fraudulently getting titles to clients' vehicles, houses and other property to sell, or for their personal use. Together they are are charged with 19 felonies.
Losses total nearly $300,000, according to the California Department of Insurance.
Upon sentencing, a judge could take a person’s health into consideration for the sentence.
In the meantime, Cruz sits in Lerdo jail because he does not have money to post bail, Revelo said. If he comes up with money, a restriction says he must prove the bail money was obtained legally.
Entire article here: http://www.bakersfield.com/hourly_news/story/628920.html
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