March 29, 2024
Two fraud schemes cost victims over $1 million
LOS ANGELES – A La Crescenta man was sentenced Monday to nine years in federal prison after pleading guilty to federal fraud charges stemming from two schemes – one that bilked a string of payroll companies, and a second involving fraudulent bills sent to entities ranging from small businesses to local school districts that never received any services.

David William Bell, 55, received the 108-month sentence from United States District Judge Virginia A. Phillips. She additionally ordered Bell to pay just over $1 million in restitution to payroll companies, hundreds of small businesses and other entities. He earlier pleaded guilty to wire fraud and mail fraud.

Bell ran a company called UST Development, Inc. – which operated in Ontario and Pomona under a string of names, including US Telecom – that he used to defraud a host of victims through two separate schemes. Bell used different titles while at UST, including president, director and CEO.
Story Date: January 14, 2018
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