Their older sister, Aimee Villegas, who alsoworked at the Rothstein firm, was never mentioned during the hearing but sat beside them. A witness stated that she saw a car similar to Tonys in the parking lot where Melissas car was eventually found. Terry P Villegas . For her role in Rothstein's Ponzi scheme, Debra Villegas was sentenced to 10-years in prison. She said Villegas was "abducted" by two men from the bar and raped. 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. "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. Please enter valid email address to continue. The two spent a lot of time together, with Melissa cooking for her children and going out on family vacations with them. Elizabeth "Liz" Villegas*(p): Volleyball Coach. Debra Villegas received the maximum sentence of ten years in prison this morning for her role in the massive Scott Rothstein Ponzi scheme. The song was released as the album's fourth single in the United States in mid . 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. Despite conspiracy theories early on, investigators say Lewis was never a part of Rothstein's $1.6 billion Ponzi scheme and her death had nothing to do with him. Debbie Villegas is on Facebook. In July 2016, Tony was found guilty of first-degree murder. Villegas, wearing a pink blouse and black skirt, sat quietly during the brunt of the hearing, not weeping but occasionally dabbing her eyes with a tissue as her psychologist, Butts,told of what she called a traumatic and painful childhood. Debra S (Papania) Villegas Debra Villegas (born 1951) Jump to: Bio . Find Debra Villegas. There was speculation of the murder being related to Scott Rothsteins Ponzi scheme, but Melissa was never implicated in that case. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. At the firm, one of Melissa's closest friends was Debra Villegas, who was the COO. TV Shows. Tracking records showed Lewis' cell phone went back and forth between Broward and Miami-Dade on an FEC train line after her death. Debra Villegas is 55 years old. FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - The verdict is in for a man accused of killing a Plantation attorney and then dumping her body in a canal. For her role in Rothstein's Ponzi scheme, Debra Villegas was sentenced to 10-years in prison. Villegas' attorney, Bruce Fleisher, said pieces of the prosecutor's puzzle are missing and will cast doubt in the eyes of the jury. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. You will have enough time to read all pages pages in your spare time. The defense didnt provide an alternative motive for the murder but stressed reasonable doubt. He changed the sentence to 48 months. In addition, Villegas assisted in the preparation of documents relating to the purported confidential settlements. Many female criminals need therapy, not confinemen Florida agencies face deep cuts across board, Stripper says judge shielded her from creditors. (D2) David Villegas Age: 49 San Diego, CA (D3) John Bomenka Age: 54 San Diego, CA . Villegas's next court appearance is scheduled for May 13. The third result is Debra Ann Villegas age 60s in Lakeport, CA. Debra Villegas. Tony Villegas, now 52, was arrested in 2008 and charged with the death of Melissa Britt Lewis. ", "She feels extremely horrible that she believed in that," said Butts, referring to the fact thatTonyis accused of killing Lewis in March 2008. MORE NEWS: COVID-19 Testing Site Finder Both Debra and her children stated that he was abusive. She said during their nasty divorce her husband told her something that may have foreshadowed violence. The defense is expected to plant the suggestion that Rothstein was behind Lewis' murder because, as an attorney said in an earlier civil proceedings, "she knew too much.". Transcript for Subway Push Suspect Denied Bail. The judge has forbidden the defense from bringing Rothstein into the murder trial, but that could change if any witnesses make unsolicited reference to the Ponzi schemer. / CBS Miami. Tony Villegas' DNA was found on Lewis suit jacket in her abandoned SUV, according to court records which also stated that a button that had been torn from it was found on her garage floor. 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. With time off for good behavior, most. Currently, Debra is single. Tracking records showed Lewis' cell phone went back and forth between Broward and Miami-Dade along the FEC train line after her death. Currently Debra lives at the address 422 Rose Arbor Ln, Houston TX 77060. asked Zloch. She will be released on $250,000 bail. 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. debra villegas released. 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. BackgroundDepression commonly occurs in heart failure patients, and negatively influences quality of life and disease prognosis. Mr. Villegas. She always wanted to be a lawyer, and her dream came true after university. Debra Villegas was called the most important person to help Scott Rothstein's law firm maintain the facade that defrauded investors of about $430 million in losses. debra villegas rothstein's right-hand woman released from prison debra villegas mano derecha de rothstein liberada de la carcel. Debra Villegas will be released from prison and should be home for Christmas, said her lawyer. Police found pepper spray residue in the garage of Lewis home. [Related:Dateline Lawyer Scott Rothsteins Ex-Wife Hid $1 Million Jewelry], Andrew Dice Clay Says Lance Bass Playing Possum on My Kitchen Rules, 2012-2023, 2paragraphs Productions, LLC, Dateline Lawyer Scott Rothsteins Ex-Wife Hid $1 Million Jewelry. debra villegas releasedteams work better when the organizational structure. Six Degrees of Murder (TV Series 2016- ) - IMDb Will Debra Villegas, Queen of the Inner Sanctum, Tell All . Early life, education, and career. Facebook gives people the power. Villegas ex-husband, Tony Villegas, is jailed awaiting trial in the March 2008 slaying of a former Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler attorney, Melissa Britt Lewis. 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Meantime, Villegas says he's innocent and hislawyerBruce Fleishersaid the outcome might have been differentif he hadbeen allowed to talkabout Rothstein during the trial. Melissas best friend Debra Villegas, Rothsteins chief operating officer, was convicted of helping by cooking the books. Debra Villegas Found We found 15 entries for Debra Villegas in the United States. "Where wasthe concern for your children when you were involved in this criminal activity?" Lewiswas a law partner of notorious convicted Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein. Personal details about Debra include: political affiliation is unknown; ethnicity is Hispanic American; and religious views are listed as Christian. March 3, 2017 Best of NBC News Play All NBC News. Rothstein instead told her that he believed Tony was a "coward. Then it was finally Villegas' turn to take the podium. It is unknown if Rothstein . Dateline NBC airs Fridays at 10pm. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Kaplan, however, said Villegas was key to a fraud that affected hundreds of people who lost some $430 million, most of which is gone forever. Become a member to support the independent voice of South Florida Debra Coffey, the ex-wife of Tony Villegas, who is charged with murdering her best friend Melissa Britt Lewis, took the stand to testify against him Tuesday. Debra Villegas, former COO of Scott Rothstein's now-defunct law firm, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a felony charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Prosecutors said he killed Melissa Britt Lewis in March 2008 because he blamed her for the break up of the marriage with his wife Debra, who was Lewis' best friend. Debra was released from jail in 2014 after serving three and a half years. Residential Address: . She also spoke after the verdict. ", Zloch interrupted Butts to ask: "You're not saying loyalty excuses criminal activity, are you?". It is unknown if Rothstein . For her role in Rothstein's Ponzi scheme, Debra Villegas was sentenced to 10-years in prison. Debra Villegas testified that her ex-husband was violent man and threatened Villegas. Investigation Discoverys Six Degrees of Murder: Going Places delves into this very case. On December 1, 2009, Rothstein turned himself in to authorities and was . Debra has lived at this Houston, TX address for about 25 years, after moving in around August of 1997. At the firm, one of Melissa's closest friends was Debra Villegas, who was the COO. "You falsified the signatures of plaintiffs?" "Rothstein was somewhat tied into organized crime. 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. In brief remarks to the judge, Villegas expressed remorse and asked for mercy on behalf of her two children. First published on June 27, 2016 / 5:12 PM. They had ample evidence pointing to his guilt. Melissa returned from work sometime in the evening on March 5, 2008, but she didnt show up the next day. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. 21-468 (FAB). A button that had been torn of it was found on her garage floor. When the police investigated they found a web of fraud, betrayal and more than $1 billion in missing money. Villegas chose not to speak after the verdict was read. She said during their nasty divorce her husband told her something that may have foreshadowed violence. Attorneys Alison Lehr, Michelle Alvarez, and Evelyn Sheehan. We will all suffer this loss as long as we live, but we forgive you. He remains incarcerated at the Columbia Correctional Institution in Lake City, Florida. MORE NEWS: COVID-19 Testing Site Finder Updated Oct 9, 2010, 12:00am EDT. 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. The beloved 39-year-old initially worked at a hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, before she got her GED and went to college. 2018. Debra Villegas in Washington. Debra was estranged from her husband, Tony Villegas, at the time. 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. Incidentally, her estranged husband, Tony Villegas, accused of murdering her best friend and former Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler attorney. 10 symbols in othello; jack harlow tickets boston; debra villegas released. Debra Rachel Villegas Educator at San Diego Unified School District San Diego, California, United States 36 followers 37 connections Join to view profile San Diego Unified School District San. The 42-year-old Villegas could get 10 years in prison . 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. Facebook gives people. Lewis was found dead in a canal near Plantation after her SUV was found nearby. 100% FREE! debville1@sbcglobal.net . Butts then moved on tothe defendant'sallegedly abusive 17-year marriage to Tony Villegas. Another Florida Inmate Claims To Have Been Dumped Sheriff Gee calls for independent jail investigation.