Detectives allege liens for millions of dollars were falsely recorded against properties in LA, Beverly Hills.
Detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Real Estate Fraud Unit arrested a 58-year-old Los Angeles woman Thursday in an investigation into allegedly fraudulent mechanics liens recorded against multiple properties.
Rita Ortiz was booked on suspicion of filing a false document, according to an LAPD press release, and is now in custody. Ortiz was also evicted from a property on Glendon Avenue.
The case began in 2025 after property owners reported a series of mechanics’ liens that investigators said were false or forged. Police said the filings were recorded on property titles and listed unusually large dollar figures, including claims in the millions, purportedly for cleaning or consulting work performed by Ortiz Consulting LLC.
Detectives allege Ortiz controlled Ortiz Consulting LLC and personally recorded the liens. Police said victims have been identified in Los Angeles, with additional affected properties reported in Beverly Hills and Riverside County. Homeowners who had the liens placed against their properties denied knowing or even meeting Ortiz.
Authorities said Ortiz promoted herself as a real estate consultant and business coach offering services tied to property sales, investment properties, leasing, short sales, and loan modifications. Investigators believe she may have marketed those services through an organization called “Make Your Dreams Come True,” which police described as a nonprofit.
Police said Ortiz is not licensed by the California Department of Real Estate to perform real estate services.
Marjorie Josaphat, who lives in Benedict Canyon, was hit with three liens, two for $24 million and a third for $98 million, as reported by ABC Eyewitness News. A property owner next door also had two liens placed against her property.
The investigation remains ongoing as LAPD and BHPD detectives work to identify additional victims and determine the full scope of the alleged filings.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the LAPD Commercial Crimes Division at 213-486-6620 between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. Calls after hours or on weekends can be made to 877-527-3247. Anonymous tips may be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477, by texting 274637 and beginning the message with “LAPD,” or through the “webtips” portal at LAPDOnline.org.
