El Monte developer accused of fraud, embezzlement [Updated]

An El Monte developer behind the city’s $1.2-billion redevelopment project has been arrested and is expected to be charged this week with fraud and embezzlement, police said today.

John Leung, president and chief executive of El Monte-based Titan Group, was arrested late Friday afternoon, said Capt. Marcy Vail of the El Monte Police Department. He is being held in lieu of $1 million in bail.

Leung, 53, is expected to be arraigned Tuesday on five felony counts of forgery, fraud, embezzlement, grand theft and burglary, Vail said.

[Updated at 1:20 p.m.: An earlier version of this post said there was an additional count, but officials say there were only five.]

Vail said Leung was suspected of defrauding two private citizens of “a significant amount of money or assets” in a complex financial scheme but declined to give further details, saying she did not want to compromise the investigators’ case. Police have been investigating Leung for about two months, she said.

Leung’s company is behind the proposed El Monte Transit Village, a 65-acre mixed-use development of retail space, residential units and office space, to be built around the El Monte Bus Transit Station. The company did not immediately return a request for comment.

[Updated at 6:45 p.m.: Police said they arrested a second suspect, Titan executive Jean Lang, around 10 p.m. Sunday. Lang, a resident of El Monte, will be charged with the same five felony counts as Leung, as well as an additional count of dissuading a witness, authorities said. She is also expected to be arraigned Tuesday.]

-- Victoria Kim

Comments

[Club the clubber]

Here we are again; another rich person robs us.
Cut the head and spread the wealth!
I for one am sick of the bankers, developers, lawyers, lobbyist, insurance providers and others of their ilk becoming super rich and yet still having to rob for the last few pennies.
Bring out the guillotine now and finish what the French started so long ago!
People wake up and take back what is our!
The right for a job, house and safety for our familes.

[Missing the Whole Story?]

El Monte and Temple City both run by crooks.

Can you imagine what's going on in Washington if it's this bad here?

[Tom]

Hooray for club the Dubber. Finally i am seeing someone tell it like it is. Yes Sir these banks, corporations all have to go. They are stealing from the people. And it all goes back to ST. Regan. he was a crook and allowed these people to steal. I does not surprise to hear about this and we are going to see more and more until the American people have had enough and decide to reign in capitalism. What americans do not understand is that your Gov. was hijacked in the 80's by the banks and corporations. Take it back. Fight.

[Paddy O'Shea]

How much money did Sacramento funnel Titan for the "El Monte Transit Village?" $30 million? $40 million? Now wonder we're broke. Can Obama just take California over like the banks or GM? Obviously we're looking at a meltdown here.

[nabi]

If memory serves me correctly this guy Leung is very close to Judy Chu financially close hosted a fundraiser " Coffee With Your Congressional Candidate" Oh wait a minute didn't she or was it Mike Eng who secured the legislation for the Transit Village Project.. Follow the money people. Well I am sure glad that there will be an election for that Congressional seat in July.
Well folks follow the money.. and why would a sleezy guy like Leung want to be so engaged with the political folks and what is to say about judgment? We should really think about this first the $2,400 from Tei Fu Chen that Judy had to return cause this guy Tei Fu Chen is a felon, then that spy from the temple now Leung. Well I hope they didn't spend all that campaign money yet cause it looks like more refunds are do to another felon. Wake up people

[nabi]

Okay let's not remove my comment we have freedom of speech guys so let me continue with putting my civil liberties at work here. Follow the money people this sleaze Leung is a major financial contributor to Judy Chu. So he will have to wait in line for his rebate check cause Tei-Fu Chen another felon is waiting for his $2400. Yes, oh have we forgotten who brought up that tranit village legislation who voted on it go to the assembly web site and you will see who has been an advocate Judy Chu and Mike Eng.
As for Washington DC well of you send Judy to Congress she will probably continue with this behavior of lack of judgment. If you don't believe me go to the federal campaign disclosure report. So where are we with this are we going to stick our heads in the sand and be ignorant. Cause that's what Judy is hoping that the Tribune not disclose her ties to John Leung. So Fred Ortega will you dare remove this comment? Oh and by the way I received the mailer today from Judy with the free postage stamp reminding me to vote absentee ballot. Thanks for the stamp Judy I will use is to send in my absentee ballot for Betty Chu

[Midori matsumoto]

John & Judy sittin' in a tree.......this is the guy that is a big time donor to Judy Chu Ing's campaign, why i think he even had a coffee for her at the titian office on Vally Blvd. she sure can roll with some shady folk, my Obasan used to say "Tell me who you run with and i'll tell you who you are"

[DET: Bryan Glick]

If you need a House Built, you need to know about Titan Group. We bought our first Home after much searching among alternatives on The Block. Everything was done above our expectations. Fast Service, good People and VERY GOOD INVENTORY. If you need a discontinued On Property, they probably have it. If you need a more recent one, they definitely have it. Property's are their #1 strength (at reasonable prices). Thank you!

[DET: Bryan Glick]

If you need a House Built, you need to know about Titan Group. We bought our first Home after much searching among alternatives on The Block. Everything was done above our expectations. Fast Service, good People and VERY GOOD INVENTORY. If you need a discontinued On Property, they probably have it. If you need a more recent one, they definitely have it. Property's are their #1 strength (at reasonable prices). Thank you!