Mexican man accused in multistate scheme faces new charges

CLEVELAND (AP) — A Mexican citizen accused of defrauding investors in four states has been indicted again by a federal grand jury in Cleveland. This time he’s accused of filing false tax returns.

Oscar Villarreal, who had been living in suburban Cleveland, now faces 21 federal counts.

The Northeast Ohio Media Group in Cleveland reports that federal authorities have been looking for Villarreal since September, but they believe he’s now in Mexico.

Prosecutors say he defrauded investors from in Ohio, Florida, New Jersey and New York in a $9.6 million scheme over six years and spent the money on a lavish lifestyle.

A message seeking comment was left with his attorney today.

Investigators say some victims were Villarreal’s wealthy neighbors in Cleveland and prominent members of the city’s business community.