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A former business manager of retired professional boxer Fernando Vargas has been arrested on suspicion of stealing from the two-time world champion, authorities said.
Joseph Louis Pecora, 54, of Camarillo was arrested Monday by Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies on suspicion of grand theft by embezzlement and forgery, jail records show. He remained in custody this morning in lieu of $15,000 bail.
The arrest of Pecora, who had access to Vargas’ bank accounts while working for the boxer, followed an investigation that began several years ago when Vargas reported a theft, said sheriff’s Capt. Rick Barrios.
“He was involved in the grand theft and forgery of one or more of those accounts and after an extensive investigation we had probable cause to arrest him for those charges,” Barrios said.
Pecora was arrested without incident in Camarillo, said the captain.
Barrios said he could not comment further on details of the case due to the sensitivity of the continuing investigation.
Vargas’ attorney, Greg Ramirez, said Pecora worked with Vargas as a business manager from the late 1990s until the Oxnard native discovered several years ago that he had no money in one of his bank accounts.
Ramirez said his clients, who include both Vargas and his wife, allege Pecora pocketed about $400,000 with ploys including forging Vargas’ name on checks.
A 2009 civil complaint filed in the case on behalf of Fernando and Martha Vargas and their businesses names Pecora, among other defendants. The 59-page complaint alleges wrongdoing including fraud, breach of oral contract and professional negligence.
© 2010 Ventura County Star. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Joseph Louis Pecora, 54, of Camarillo was arrested Monday by Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies on suspicion of grand theft by embezzlement and forgery, jail records show. He remained in custody this morning in lieu of $15,000 bail.
The arrest of Pecora, who had access to Vargas’ bank accounts while working for the boxer, followed an investigation that began several years ago when Vargas reported a theft, said sheriff’s Capt. Rick Barrios.
“He was involved in the grand theft and forgery of one or more of those accounts and after an extensive investigation we had probable cause to arrest him for those charges,” Barrios said.
Pecora was arrested without incident in Camarillo, said the captain.
Barrios said he could not comment further on details of the case due to the sensitivity of the continuing investigation.
Vargas’ attorney, Greg Ramirez, said Pecora worked with Vargas as a business manager from the late 1990s until the Oxnard native discovered several years ago that he had no money in one of his bank accounts.
Ramirez said his clients, who include both Vargas and his wife, allege Pecora pocketed about $400,000 with ploys including forging Vargas’ name on checks.
A 2009 civil complaint filed in the case on behalf of Fernando and Martha Vargas and their businesses names Pecora, among other defendants. The 59-page complaint alleges wrongdoing including fraud, breach of oral contract and professional negligence.
© 2010 Ventura County Star. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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