The police uncovered a combination of physical and circumstantial evidence to bring the killer to justice. There was speculation of the murder being related to Scott Rothsteins Ponzi scheme, but Melissa was never implicated in that case. The whole family was extremely proud of her. Tony Villegas faces the death penalty if. Debra Villegas 's Record in 2018. September 1, 2021 A young, ambitious lawyer at a law firm in Florida was brutally murdered back in March 2008. / CBS Miami. She is expected to negotiate a plea deal. The hearing hit its dramatic zenith during testimony from Villegas' psychologist regarding her youth, which she said was marred by an alcoholic mother, living on her own in a truck at the age of 15, and rape. The investigators started to question everyone involved in Melissas life. Debra Villegas Sr. 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. Lewis was found dead in a canal near Plantation after her SUV was found nearby. "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. Around the time Debra separated from Tony, Melissa grew closer to her. She faces 10 years in prison at sentencing Aug. 20. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Her childhood, Butts testified, was marked by an alcholic mother, sexual abuse by one of her mother's boyfriends, and 52 different homes in her native Texas by the time she was a teenager. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Debra Villegas Overview. Debra Villegas. That's when Zloch announced his sentence: 120 months, the maximum allowed under law. 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. Then it was finally Villegas' turn to take the podium. We will all suffer this loss as long as we live but we forgive you," saidHaberl. Debra Villegas is 55 years old. 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. Even those public officials who have chosen to turn themselves in and waive . "You said they literally wouldn't survive," Zloch clarified. "I thought it was a one-time thing. 3. Debra Villegas' Interview with Police Debra tells detectives about ex-husband Tony Villegas' encounters with her best friend Melissa Lewis. TV Shows. Melissas car was found later in a parking lot not too far from the bodys location. She also spoke after the verdict. Tony forcedone of her children to sleep in a dog crate at one point,Butts testified, and "[Debra] went into the dog crate with her child and refused to leave." Last week, Debra Villegas testified that her ex-husband was a violent man and had threatened them. Contact Us- Overview- Territory/Jurisdiction, News and Outreach- Press Room | Stories- In Your Community, About Us- Our People & Capabilities- What We Investigate- Our Partnerships- Miami History, This content has been reproduced from its. 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. Debra Villegas in Washington. More this Friday at 10p/9c on NBC. asked Zloch. Rothstein was sentenced to 50 years in prison. debra villegas released. Attorneys Lawrence D. LaVecchio, Paul F. Schwartz and Jeffrey N. Kaplan and Forfeiture Assistant U.S. Debra S Papania Villegas was born c. 1951. Debra Villegaswas born on 06/28/1966 and is 56 years old. At the firm, one of Melissa's closest friends was Debra Villegas, who was the COO. Debra, who was by then divorced and went by the last name Coffey, testified that Tony had threatened both of them in the past. It is a message to all that if you choose greed over integrity, you will have to pay the price.. This is 5.8 percent higher than the average pay for co-workers but 24.8 percent lower than the national average for government employees. Check resumes and CV, social media profiles, public records, skilled experts, places of employment, photos and videos, arrest records, business records and memorials . 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. Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein's "right hand" woman, Debra Villegas, was charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering Tuesday in connection with his $1.2 billion scheme. In a press release, John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge of . State of Texas records show Debra A Villegas held one job from 2017 to 2021. 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 . He was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. He convinced investors to buy stakes in bogus lawsuit settlements. Updated: July 10, 2022 . Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. Debra L Villegas from Jurupa Valley, CA. Collaborations. 1997 Judy Hildner*: Contributor - Newspaper. She said Villegas was "abducted" by two men from the bar and raped. Debra Villegas received the maximum sentence of ten years in prison this morning for her role in the massive Scott Rothstein Ponzi scheme. Villegas pleaded guilty in the Scott Rothstein Ponzi scheme and was sentenced to 10 years in prison . Transcript for Subway Push Suspect Denied Bail. I just inserted the names. She had been strangled to death. After the homicide, Rothstein took care of Debra, buying her a house in Weston and a Maserati that embarassed her (she preferred pickup trucks, said Butts),raising her salary to $250,000, and even fundinga"therapeutic residential boarding school" for oneof her sons. View Full Report . 21-468 (FAB). Before receiving a 10-year sentence, Villegas re-married in 2010 to 39-year-old Daniel Coffey in Pembroke Pines. Debra Villegas, RRA's chief operating officer, was released from prison Dec. 18, 2014 after serving 3 1/2 years. Sometime in 2002, she married a lawyer, but that ended in divorce about five years later. She really seemed to be the one who was really a central player, Kaplan said. In July 2016, Tony was found guilty of first-degree murder. . He said Tony Villegas' DNA was found on Lewis suit jacket in her abandoned SUV. Tony Villegas, now 52, was arrested in 2008 and charged with the death of Melissa Britt Lewis. Facebook gives people the power. 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. A young, ambitious lawyer at a law firm in Florida was brutally murdered back in March 2008. People who have worked on this game have also collaborated on the creation of the following games: Destiny, a group of 640 people; Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, a group of 463 people; Call of Duty: WWII, a group of 458 people; Call of Duty: Black Ops - Cold War, a group of 328 people; Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, a group of 293 people; Call of Duty: Warzone, a group of 289 people Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Kaplan, however, said Villegas was key to a fraud that affected hundreds of people who lost some $430 million, most of which is gone forever. source of local news and culture, Deirdra Funcheon "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. Female murderer Cole receives death sentence, Woman's death penalty overturned, gets new sentencing, Death Penalty Course @ Moritz College of Law. "I'm very sorry to all the victims and to the employees who lost their jobs and to my family," she said. Debra Villegas, former COO of Scott Rothstein's now-defunct law firm, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a felony charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Location. was a partner of Individual B and was arrested as part of the same investigation as Mr. Benitez. "Yes, your honor," she answered. 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 villegas released. This is not the last to fall.. Criminally derived proceeds from the scheme, in excess of $10,000, were transferred between and among accounts at financial institutions. But it was Debras estranged husband, train conductorTony Villegas,who was accused of murderingLewis. 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. Melissas aunt said after his conviction, With this selfish act of jealousy, you not only violated our family but your own too. Butts then moved on tothe defendant'sallegedly abusive 17-year marriage to Tony Villegas. Before helaid down thesentence,Zloch asked a last question of the government. 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. "No, she admitted shehad knowledge of thescheme,"answeredAssistant U.S. AttorneyJeffrey Kaplan answered. Addresses, phones, email, criminal data & more. Debra calls San Diego, CA, home. 2001 Sonja Melton: Competed in . Current address. And Debra Sennefelder is the author you'll most look forward to reading in 2022. Debra Villegas - $34,100 in Political Contributions for 2008, Campaign Finance, Money, American politics, American political campaign contributions, presidential campaign contributions FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - The verdict is in for a man accused of killinga Plantation attorney and then dumping her body in a canal. "You falsified the signatures of plaintiffs?" Villegas ex-husband, Tony Villegas, is jailed awaiting trial in the March 2008 slaying of a former Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler attorney, Melissa Britt Lewis. He broke the corruption story[2] of $1 billion Ponzi scheme operator Scott Rothstein's October 27, 2009 flight to Morocco under suspicious circumstances. Debra S (Papania) Villegas Debra Villegas (born 1951) Jump to: Bio . Then the murder came, and my head wasn't where it should have been," said Villegas. Villegas won early release for cooperating in . In her first interview, Debra Villegas speaks to Dennis Murphy about the billion dollar Ponzi scheme run by Scott Rothstein. 1 MOSER DK Moser, Debra K University of K entucky (College of Nursing) 107 36 4,121 2 DENOLLET J Denollet, Johan Tilburg Universi ty (Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology) 68 31 3,244 Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. 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. First published on June 27, 2016 / 5:12 PM. In brief remarks to the judge, Villegas expressed remorse and asked for mercy on behalf of her two children. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. Debra Villegas, who has been released following a federal prison term for her role in the Ponzi scheme, took the stand during the trial. Her voicewas so soft, it was almost faint as she answered questionsfrom the judge. The song was released as the album's fourth single in the United States in mid . Villegas was a conductor on the train. NEW DELHI - Former MP Subramanian Swamy Tuesday told the Supreme Court that Prime Minister Manmohan PANAJI - Surendra Sirsat has been appointed the president of the Goa unit of the Nationalist Congres NEW DELHI/BANGALORE - Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Her maiden name is Papania and she married into the Villegas family. Debras son, Caleb, later testified that his father didnt like that. Combien gagne t il d argent ? Debra Villegas, left, appealed for leniency because her children were already traumatized by the murder charge their father is facing in the death of Melissa Britt Lewis, at right. MORE NEWS: COVID-19 Testing Site Finder Both Debra and her children stated that he was abusive. source of local news and culture. Following the verdict, the judge immediately sentenced him to life in prison. If the judge agrees, that could pave . Convicted Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein's second-in-command, former Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler COO Debra Villegas, allegedly spent time dreaming up fake names to put on bogus lawsuit settlements . She won early release for cooperating with the state. Quince to be Florida's first African-American fema Judge prods attorneys to speed things up for Fort Another murder suspect gets tentative trial date. For money laundering charges, term of custody up to 20 years' imprisonment, a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved, and three years of supervised release. Debra Villegas - Scientology Service Completions Note: Preliminary analysis suggests that about 60% of people who try Scientology do only a single course or service, that 80% of new members become inactive within 2 years, and that 65% of those who reach the level of Clear become inactive within a year after doing so. Debra Villegas, 47, was granted a reduction to her 10-year prison sentence by U.S. District Judge William Zloch. Sa fortune s lve 2 000,00 euros mensuels Debra Villegas has been associated with two companies, according to public records. Paralyzed inmate says Mazza made earlier dry run o Man indicted on first-degree murder in Cape day ca As their crime rate climbs, more women filling jails, Another video raises questions about jail abuse. Butts testified that police weren't interested in pursuing the case and that Villegas even went to school the next day and back to work at the bar the next night. Relatives. Past homes found in Houston TX. In addition, Villegas assisted in the preparation of documents relating to the purported confidential settlements. His fleet of exotic cars included: 1974, 2006, 2007, and 2008 Ferraris, 2009 Bentley, 2007 Silver Rolls-Royce, and one 2008 and two 2010 Lamborghini Murcielagos worth about $400,000 each, a pair of $1.6 million Bugattis, and a pair of Harleys which he maintains in an air-conditioned warehouse. Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. For her role in Rothstein's Ponzi scheme, Debra Villegas was sentenced to 10-years in prison. According to the charges and statements made in court during her plea, Villegas participated in the scheme by assisting with the fabrication of names for fictitious plaintiffs and defendants who were purportedly parties in the confidential settlements. Melissa returned from work sometime in the evening on March 5, 2008, but she didnt show up the next day. Then, a legal issue that her firm was embroiled in only added to the chaos. It is unknown if Rothstein, who is currently serving a 50 year term, will be called. View Background Report Sponsored. In her first interview, Debra Villegas speaks to Dennis Murphy about the billion dollar Ponzi scheme run by Scott Rothstein. Rothstein, who is serving a 50-year prison sentence, is also cooperating with investigators. Personal details about Debra include: political affiliation is unknown; ethnicity is Hispanic American; and religious views are listed as Christian. Rothstein was sentenced to 50 years in prison. Debra Villegas, RRA's chief operating officer, was released from prison Dec. 18, 2014 after serving 3 1/2 years. local Journalism in South Florida. Rothstein was sentenced to 50 years in prison. heasked. Prosecutors say Tony Villegas, who has pleaded not guilty, killed Lewis because she was helping Debra Villegas escape their relationship. FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - The verdict is in for a man accused of killing a Plantation attorney and then dumping her body in a canal. He moved to Chicago in 1999 to attend North Park University, where he later received a bachelor's degree in psychology and music. Debra was released from jail in 2014 after serving three and a half years. "With this selfish act of jealousy, you not only violated our family but your own too. Mr. Villegas. Prosecutors and Villegas' attorney said she is cooperating with investigators. (AP) A West Texas man convicted. 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Debra K Vosburg Gender: Female Race: White Residential Address: Ocean Isle Beach Nc 28469 Mailing Address: Ocean Isle Beach Nc 28469 Party Affiliation: Unaffiliated Registered to Vote In: Brunswick County, NC Voter Status: Active. Both Debra and her children stated that he was abusive. Join Facebook to connect with Debra Diana Villegas and others you may know. Freda Hancock: Competed in Track, Coach. Residential Address: "She didn't even know what a Ponzi scheme was," Butts said on the stand. He changed the sentence to 48 months. "I was extremely proud of her. So, if youre curious about what happened to Melissa, weve got you covered. [Related:Dateline Lawyer Scott Rothsteins Ex-Wife Hid $1 Million Jewelry], Andrew Dice Clay Says Lance Bass Playing Possum on My Kitchen Rules, 2012-2023, 2paragraphs Productions, LLC, Dateline Lawyer Scott Rothsteins Ex-Wife Hid $1 Million Jewelry. Her success and busy work did not keep her from her family, especially her nieces, whom she was very close to. Become a member to support the independent voice of South Florida They both "rallied around" Villegas andprovided a "safety net" for her. 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-husband, a Fort Lauderdale federal. Former Chief Operating Officer of Ft. Lauderdale Law Firm Sentenced in Connection with Money Laundering Conspiracy in Operation of Ponzi Scheme Authorities have released little information about a motive. This study explored heart failure and depression-related research from a bibliometric perspective.MethodsRelevant publications were searched on June 24, 2022. With time off for good behavior, most. Jump to Sections of this page Before receiving a 10-year sentence, Villegasre-married in 2010 to 39-year-old Daniel Coffey in Pembroke Pines. She was 30 years of age when she was fatally shot . 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. 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 . "She felt like Mr. Rothstein saved her life and the lives of her children, unfortunately at the expense of Mrs. Britt Lewis.". Hall of Winners | Performance.gov All comments and opinions are submitted by Internet users . local Journalism in South Florida. She said, 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. The most damning evidence came in the form of physical evidence. Debra Villegas received the maximum sentence of ten years in prison this morning for her role in the massive Scott Rothstein Ponzi scheme. 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. At one point, Villegas attorney Robert Stickney pointed out toZlochthat her two young sonswere in the courtroom, and they stood up. Elizabeth "Liz" Villegas*(p): Volleyball Coach. Debra Villegas was called the most important person to help Scott Rothstein's law firm maintain the facade that defrauded investors of about $430 million in losses. "Rothstein was somewhat tied into organized crime. Also known as: Ms Debra Villegas, Ms Debra L Villegas. Outside of court, Lewis' motherLisa LaPointesaid the family felt they were given justice. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. 2018. Debra R Villegas, 55 Lives in San Diego, CA. Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Services Criminal Investigation Division. Select this result to view Debra Lynne Villegas's phone number, address, and more. Debra Villegas pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy in a 1?-hour hearing. Currently, Debra is single. . 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. 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. A Broward jury found Tony Villegas guilty of 1st degree. Prosecutors claimed Villegas motive was revenge as he blamed Lewis for his failing marriage. Please enable javascript and reload the page to submit comment. [Left: Dateline compares the murder of Melissa Lewis to a John Grisham novel]. Deborah Villegas Found 57 people in California, Texas and 25 other states View contact information: phones, addresses, emails and networks. Prosecutors say Villegas' ex, Tony Villegas, killed Lewis in March, 2008 because he blamed her for the breakup of his marriage. Rothstein instead told her that he believed Tony was a "coward. Villegas will have to surrender to authorities next June 24 so that she can continue to cooperate with federal investigators on the case. That's when Zlochdropped thecentral question of the hearing on Villegas. Currently, Debra is single. Facebook gives people. And at the time, Barry Plath's estranged wife was driving in Florida. 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