Woman behind multimillion dollar liens in Beverly Hills arrested for filing false documents, LAPD says

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Rita Ortiz, the woman who filed numerous multimillion liens on homeowners on Benedict Canyon Drive, has been arrested.

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to 7 On Your Side Investigates that Ortiz was arrested on Thursday and faces 25 counts of of filing a false or forged document with a public office.

Inmate records show Ortiz, 58, is being held on $700,000 bail. Earlier this month, 7 On Your Side Investigates broke the story of how Ortiz hit several homeowners in Benedict Canyon and beyond with massive liens for services like cleaning. But the homeowners on Benedict Canyon Drive with the massive liens who we spoke to say they never hired Ortiz to do any work.

At least 13 of those liens filed by Ortiz claimed $24.6 million in work and materials like “cleaning services” and “equipment”.

One homeowner, Marjorie Josaphat, got hit with an additional $98.5 million lien from Ortiz. Josaphat said she does not know Ortiz.

“It took them 35 liens to get her in jail, but I am happy. It’s a good start,” Josaphat said.

Last week, Ortiz came to ABC7 to tell her side of the story. She claimed she deserved to be paid and denied the existence of a police investigation.

Ortiz was also evicted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department from a home she also recorded seven liens against, located on Glendon Avenue in Los Angeles.

The LAPD said properties in Riverside County have also been affected.

Ortiz claims to be a Real Estate Consultant and business coach who operates Ortiz Consulting LLC. The LAPD said it is believed that Ortiz may have also offered “services” to unsuspecting victims through a non-profit organization called “Make Your Dreams Come True.”

The LAPD said Ortiz is not licensed by the Department of Real Estate to perform any real estate services. The agency also says their investigation is not over and urge any victims to call police.