"Maria Dickerson, also known as Dulce Pino, set up a shell company and used it to convince over 100 investors to give her around $10 million. As part of the alleged scheme that lasted from 2020 to about 2024, Pino told them that the company, Creative Legal Fundings of CA, had significant startup capital and support from an established CEO."
"A 2023 desist and refrain order from the state of California alleged that Pino 'cultivated a lavish public image,' presenting herself as a beauty pageant queen and former 'Ms. Woman Nevada' to sway investors. At one point, she pitched to a potential funder at a Las Vegas hotel suite, the order said."
"Once Pino received the funds, prosecutors said, she used them to gamble, fly on private jets and purchase Mercedes-Benz vehicles. She also bought a home in Sacramento and used the new rounds of funds to pay back previous investors, prosecutors said."
Maria Dickerson, also known as Dulce Pino, established a shell company called Creative Legal Fundings of CA and defrauded over 100 investors of approximately $10 million between 2020 and 2024. She misrepresented the company as having significant startup capital and CEO support, while cultivating a lavish public image as a self-proclaimed beauty pageant queen and former Ms. Woman Nevada to gain investor confidence. The company promised to provide loans to accident attorneys but never fulfilled its obligations. Starting in early 2023, investors noticed late or missing payments and requested withdrawals, which Pino refused. She used stolen funds for gambling, private jet travel, luxury vehicle purchases, and real estate. Prosecutors documented that investors lost over $4 million total. Pino pleaded guilty to wire fraud and faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Read at SFGATE
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