Robert Rinehart Charged with $500,000 Fraud

  A Santa Cruz man was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury on
eight counts of wire fraud after he allegedly stole $500,000 from investors in his company, according to federal prosecutors.

Robert Rinehart, 49, allegedly told investors in his company,
Argent Development Group, that he was buying, improving and selling
foreclosed properties, prosecutors said.

 In reality, prosecutors say he was stealing their deposits and
using them to pay for his personal living expenses.

 Rinehart made his initial appearance in federal court in San Jose
Thursday, and was released on a $50,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court on Jan. 16, 2013, before Judge Lucy H. Koh.

 Each count of wire fraud carries a potential sentence of up to 20
years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

--Bay City News--