Spencer told Osborn he represented the farm’s owners who were again interested in a sale and used the cash given to him to seal the deal for personal purchases. Spencer’s neighbors said that he had purchased several expensive vehicles including a Hummer.Osborn learned of the scam when friends told him that Spencer was selling equipment – notably golf carts from Osborn’s small course just south of the Santa Clara River – that Osborn had entrusted him with as part of the bogus sale.Spencer was arrested Friday in Palm Springs and is charged with one count of grand theft, three counts of forgery and seven counts of money-laundering, as well as five special allegations regarding the excessive amount of the theft and the fraudulent methods used.Spencer pleaded no contest to grand theft, embezzlement and petty theft in an unrelated 1998 case related to $70,000 in oven sales, according to court records. Arraignment for Spencer, who is awaiting transfer from Riverside County to Ventura County Jail, is pending.
$380K: Theft and money-laundering charges filed in Osborn scam
June 25, 2004
Santa Paula News
Theft and money-laundering charges have been filed by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office against a Santa Paula man who accused last year of scamming the owner of an area golf course through a bogus Christmas tree farm deal.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesTheft and money-laundering charges have been filed by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office against a Santa Paula man who accused last year of scamming the owner of an area golf course through a bogus Christmas tree farm deal.Anthony Spencer, also known as Anthony Navarro, was arrested Friday after an eight-month investigation into his dealings with Melvin “Ozzie” Osborn, also a Santa Paula resident.Spencer, with his family a resident of the westside of the city, originally was arrested in October after Osborn told investigators that he paid Spencer at least $380,000 to purchase the Telegraph Road Christmas tree farm, which had previously been listed for sale but was taken off the market.
