SAN DIEGO — A California businesswoman accused by investors of running a Ponzi scheme now faces criminal charges.ABC 10News first reported about Maria Dulce Pino Dickerson nearly a year ago, as many investors claimed she used her Filipino culture to befriend them.Geraldine Bartleson said she was “very happy” to hear about the charges against Dickerson but also said, “It’s surreal.”In 2023, Bartleson said she invested about $80,000 with Dickerson’s business, Creative Legal Fundings.
A federal grand jury returned a 32-count indictment against Dickerson; she faces multiple counts of wire fraud, money laundering and one count of securities fraud.Federal prosecutors said she used investor money to “pay for a lavish lifestyle that included high-end shopping, gambling, luxury vehicles, and extensive travel.”“I hope people will start to open their eyes and just see the truth,” Bartleson said.