Tracking records showed Lewis' cell phone went back and forth between Broward and Miami-Dade along the FEC train line after her death. "'You think you're on top now,'" she quoted him as saying. and help keep the future of New Times, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. Debra Villegas' Interview with Police Debra tells detectives about ex-husband Tony Villegas' encounters with her best friend Melissa Lewis. Psychologist Lori Butts, who has been treating Villegas since the Ponzi schemes collapse in fall 2009, said Villegas knew she was committing a crime but was loyal to Rothstein who employed her for 17 years. Both Debra and her children stated that he was abusive. Debra calls San Diego, CA, home. Where was the concern for your children when you were engaging in this criminal activity? he asked. In July 2016, Tony was found guilty of first-degree murder. Villegas admitted when she pleaded guilty in June to a money laundering conspiracy charge that she helped Rothstein forge signatures on fake legal settlements, which were used to lure investors with false promises of fat profits. Check resumes and CV, social media profiles, public records, skilled experts, places of employment, photos and videos, arrest records, business records and memorials . The latest Tweets from MsDebyV (@debravillegas): "RT to #VoiceSaveNoah https://t.co/YDdp1BoCst" The gifts of prison sentences keep coming, thanks to Scott Rothstein.Debra Villegas, the second in command for Rothstein's gigantic Ponzi scheme, surrendered to her new home at a minimum-security federal prison last week to begin her ten-year sentence.Villegas, now 44, pleaded guilty last year to forging legal documents and laundering. Dateline NBC airs Fridays at 10pm. Debra Villegas received the maximum sentence of ten years in prison this morning for her role in the massive Scott Rothstein Ponzi scheme. 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. Vendor, lawmakers suggest cutting $11 million from Ruling: Bush can't order hearing for condemned Mex Florida Legislature makes formal apology for slavery, Georgia man convicted in 1997 Daytona Beach killing. I'm going to win in the end.'". Please enable javascript and reload the page to submit comment. Villegas, convicted in 1995 for the murder of two teens, was released on bond after a court of appeals ruled his defense was inefficient during the 1995 trial. Combien gagne t il d argent ? Join the New Times community and help support independent Become a member to support the independent voice of South Florida Debra Villegas was sentenced to 10-years in after pleading guilty to her role in Rothstein's scheme. In 2019, he completed his master's degree in urban planning and public policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago.. And Debra Sennefelder is the author you'll most look forward to reading in 2022. Join Facebook to connect with Debbie Villegas and others you may know. 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. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et magna aliqua. Debra Pamela Villegas 1952 2006 Debra Pamela Villegas in U.S. Social Security Death Index (SSDI) Debra Pamela Villegas was born on November 16 1952. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Debra, who was by then divorced and went by the last name Coffey, testified that Tony had threatened both of them in the past. 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. MORE NEWS: COVID-19 Testing Site Finder Updated Oct 9, 2010, 12:00am EDT. Debra Villegas entered the plea Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale federal court. Meantime, Villegas says he's innocent and hislawyerBruce Fleishersaid the outcome might have been differentif he hadbeen allowed to talkabout Rothstein during the trial. Find Debra Villegas. Tony Villegas, now 52, was arrested in 2008 and charged with the death of Melissa Britt Lewis. Debbie Villegas is on Facebook. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. The Boys & Girls Club will host a blood drive Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the clubhouse, located at 26301 Garbani Road. U.S. District Judge William Zloch also took the unusual step of allowing Villegas to remain free until June 24, 2011, so she can assist in the ongoing investigation . 21-468 (FAB). Investigation Discoverys Six Degrees of Murder: Going Places delves into this very case. 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. She forged. He moved to Chicago in 1999 to attend North Park University, where he later received a bachelor's degree in psychology and music. [Left: Dateline compares the murder of Melissa Lewis to a John Grisham novel]. 1998 Dr. Kay Aguilar: Competed in Tennis, Coach. In her first interview, Debra Villegas speaks to Dennis Murphy about the billion dollar Ponzi scheme run by Scott Rothstein. 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. She was 30 years of age when she was fatally shot . May 2, 2022, 5:00pm PST. terry nicholas bryk illness; debra villegas released . A young, ambitious lawyer at a law firm in Florida was brutally murdered back in March 2008. Villegas pleaded guilty in the Scott Rothstein Ponzi scheme and was sentenced to 10 years in prison . "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. Outside of court, Lewis' motherLisa LaPointesaid the family felt they were given justice. Past homes found in Houston TX. Most recently, a government contractor, Mario Villegas was sentenced to a term of. Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Services Criminal Investigation Division. He received a 50-year sentence. debra villegas released Value Added IT Distribution Six Degrees of Murder (TV Series 2016- ) - IMDb According to Debra Villegas, her friendship with slain Rothstein attorney Melissa Britt Lewis was an extraordinarily close bond and a support system, not a sexual thing. Please enter valid email address to continue. Jump to Sections of this page Mr. Villegas. Debra R Villegas, 55 Lives in San Diego, CA. View the profiles of people named Debra Villegas. 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. View the profiles of people named Debra Villegas. It was a huge, grave mistake.". Terry P Villegas . what time does fnaf 1 take place. However, his estranged wife Debra Villegas contends that her husband was jealous of her close friendship with Lewis. He changed the sentence to 48 months. Assistant State Attorney painted a seemingly overwhelming case against Villegas in his opening statement. She faces 10 years in prison at sentencing Aug. 20. 1997 Judy Hildner*: Contributor - Newspaper. Her cousin left after a quick visit but . She said during their nasty divorce her husband told her something that may have foreshadowed violence. At the firm, one of Melissa's closest friends was Debra Villegas, who was the COO. 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. Just one week after she had been made partner, Lewiswas strangled and murdered. At one point, Villegas attorney Robert Stickney pointed out toZlochthat her two young sonswere in the courtroom, and they stood up. We will all suffer this loss as long as we live but we forgive you," saidHaberl. debra villegas released liz spoke and weal julho 1, 2022. report abandoned car victoria police Scott W. Rothstein (born June 10, 1962) is a disbarred lawyer, convicted felon, and the former managing shareholder, chairman, and chief executive officer of the now-defunct Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler law firm.He funded an extravagant lifestyle with a $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme, one of the largest such in history. Her voicewas so soft, it was almost faint as she answered questionsfrom the judge. The search for her ended in tragedy when her body was found in a canal. She could have been a hero, not a convicted felon. More arrests are expected in the case, one of the largest fraud schemes ever in South Florida. 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. 2018. Jurors also saw evidence, pictures of Lewis' vehicle with her jacket in the back, and her last conversation with a co-worker. Her success and busy work did not keep her from her family, especially her nieces, whom she was very close to. 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. But Debra Villegas, 43, will probably serve far less time because of her extensive cooperation with prosecutors, who said it was likely they would seek a sentence reduction later. For her role in Rothstein's Ponzi scheme, Debra Villegas was sentenced to 10-years in prison. Rothstein was sentenced to 50 years in prison. by 2Paragraphs in Culture | March 2, 2017. The murder trial of a Fort Lauderdale man charged with killing a former law partner of notorious Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein will begin. . More than $363 million in restitution is owed by Rothstein, Villegas and possibly others. Melissa returned from work sometime in the evening on March 5, 2008, but she didnt show up the next day. The Bibliometrix package in R was used to conduct quantitative analyses including the trends in publications . Based on these trade data, we have aggregated the data in terms of trading partners, import and export ports, countries of supply, HS codes, contact details and other . Rick Telander/Sun-Times. She also found "electrical cord marks" on the backs of her children's legs. Currently, Debra is single. 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. I'm going to win in the end.'". She was also best friends with Debra Villegas, Rothstein's chief operating officer. 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. Incidentally, her estranged husband, Tony Villegas, accused of murdering her best friend and former Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler attorney. Both have since been forfeited to the government and will be sold. Accountant at Ameresco SW Tempe, Arizona, United States 29 followers 28 connections Join to connect Ameresco SW University of Phoenix Experience Sr Accountant Ameresco SW 2011. Villegas, who formerly lived in Sunrise and Weston, was arrested early Saturday at his sister's house in North Miami-Dade. Lewis was the best friend of Villegas now ex-wife Debra, who was the COO of the now defunct law firm. Melissa was born in Jacksonville, Florida, in November 1968. Filter by State in Public Records for Debra Villegas Found We found 15 entries for Debra Villegas in the United States. 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. "I was extremely proud of her. U.S. District Judge William Zloch also took the unusual step of allowing Villegas to remain free until June 24, 2011, so she can assist in the ongoing investigation of the now-defunct Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler firm. Villegas was declared incompetent to stand trial in 2010 and avoided a trial until he was cleared by the state. La Spata was born in South Plainfield, New Jersey in 1981. She said she and Lewis armed themselves against his threats. Scott Rothstein's right-hand woman, Debra Villegas, isscheduled tobe sentenced tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. at the federal courthouse. Debra Villegas pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy in a 1?-hour hearing. debra villegas released. debra villegas released Value Added IT Distribution Six Degrees of Murder (TV Series 2016- ) - IMDb According to Debra Villegas, her friendship with slain Rothstein attorney Melissa Britt Lewis was an extraordinarily close bond and a support system, not a sexual thing. But Debra Villegas, 43, will probably serve far less time because of her extensive cooperation with prosecutors, who said it was likely they would seek a sentence reduction later. That's when Zloch announced his sentence: 120 months, the maximum allowed under law. June 21, 2016 / 3:14 PM debra villegas releasedteams work better when the organizational structure. Prosecutors say Villegas helped Rothstein prepare fake court settlements used to lure investors. teams work better when the organizational structure, Tales Of The Unexpected Filming Locations. Become a member to support the independent voice of South Florida 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. She also spoke after the verdict. A pest exterminator also came by Melissas home to find the garage door open and her car missing, an ominous sign. The name Debra Villegas has over 15 birth records, 1 death records, 6 criminal/court records, 56 address records, 11 phone records & more. 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. A witness stated that she saw a car similar to Tonys in the parking lot where Melissas car was eventually found. FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - The ex-wife of the man accused of killing Plantation attorney Melissa Britt Lewis, then dumping her body in a canal, has taken the stand against him. Villegas faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison. 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. So, if youre curious about what happened to Melissa, weve got you covered. She felt like Mr. Rothstein saved her life and the lives of her children, Butts testified. Villegas ex-husband, Tony Villegas, is jailed awaiting trial in the March 2008 slaying of a former Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler attorney, Melissa Britt Lewis. Following the verdict, the judge immediately sentenced him to life in prison. A Broward jury found Tony Villegas guilty of 1st degree. Butts then moved on tothe defendant'sallegedly abusive 17-year marriage to Tony Villegas. Mobile number (909) 821-4395 . TV Shows. Debra calls San Diego, CA, home. Debra Villegas. This study explored heart failure and depression-related research from a bibliometric perspective.MethodsRelevant publications were searched on June 24, 2022. 54 Berrick St Boston MA 02115. Transcript for Subway Push Suspect Denied Bail. Debra Villegas was sentenced to 10-years in after pleading guilty to her role in Rothstein's scheme. "No," said Butts, who later said that if Villegas was taken from her children, "they wouldn't survive" and that they are "scared to death" of their father, who has been jailed since he was charged in the murder and had a competency hearing today. California. In addition, Villegas assisted in the preparation of documents relating to the purported confidential settlements. "You said they literally wouldn't survive," Zloch clarified. Before receiving a 10-year sentence, Villegas re-married in 2010 to 39-year-old Daniel Coffey in Pembroke Pines. They both "rallied around" Villegas andprovided a "safety net" for her. September 1, 2021 A young, ambitious lawyer at a law firm in Florida was brutally murdered back in March 2008. 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. A motive for her slaying was hard to come by initially. By Rick Telander. 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. For her role in Rothstein's Ponzi scheme, Debra Villegas was sentenced to 10-years in prison. Villegas's next court appearance is scheduled for May 13. View the profiles of people named Debra Diana Villegas. But Zloch was unimpressed. Debra was released from jail in 2014 after serving three and a half years. Criminally derived proceeds from the scheme, in excess of $10,000, were transferred between and among accounts at financial institutions. Villegas was a conductor on the train.