Illustrative Prosecutions

O.C. Corruption

Charles E. Pell prosecuted major public-corruption matters involving Orange County public officials and abuse of positions of trust, including cases convicting former Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do and former Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu.

These cases reflect Charles’s experience handling sensitive matters where public integrity, accountability, and confidence in government were at stake.

Elder Fraud

Charles prosecuted cases involving fraud against elderly and vulnerable victims, including financial schemes that caused serious harm to seniors and families.

Charles prosecuted a former Orange County bank manager for stealing approximately $1.2 million from elderly customers’ savings by using a victim’s identity, impersonating the victim, and transferring the stolen money through fraudulently controlled bank accounts.

In another case, a former stockbroker was sentenced to 6 ½ years of federal prison after pleading guilty to fraud involving more than $3.2 million, including conduct that targeted Hispanic victims and a separate scheme involving nearly $400,000 taken from an elderly victim,

Fraud Targeting Latino Immigrants

Charles prosecuted a case involving a defendant accused of impersonating an ICE agent and defrauding more than 25 Orange County immigrants seeking immigration assistance, including several who paid the defendant their life savings.

The case reflected an important principle: the justice system must protect vulnerable victims, including those who may be afraid to come forward.

Mortgage Fraud Affecting Vietnamese American Seniors

Charles prosecuted a federal case involving a $2.2 million mortgage-fraud scheme that targeted homeowners, primarily elderly Vietnamese Americans by stealing the victims’ identities to fraudulently obtain cash-out mortgages on their homes.

Tax Fraud

Charles was recognized by California Lawyer with a 2015 “Lawyer of the Year” (CLAY) Award in Criminal Practice for his work on a major tax-fraud prosecution involving 53 defendants in a scheme to steal approximately $250 million from taxpayers.

That work reflects Charles’s experience in complex financial prosecutions and his commitment to protecting taxpayers.

Health Care Fraud

Charles prosecuted Dr. David M. Morrow, a cosmetic surgeon who submitted more than $80 million in insurance claims for cosmetic procedures falsely billed as medically necessary. After fleeing to Israel, Morrow was extradited back to the United States and ordered to serve a 20-year federal prison sentence.

Charles prosecuted Dr. Kevin Tien Do, who admitted to conspiring to defraud California’s workers’ compensation system of more than $3 million, which led to former Orange County Superior Court Judge Israel Claustro’s guilty plea and resignation.

Public Service and Protection of Vulnerable Victims

Throughout his career, Charles prosecuted fraud, public corruption, financial crime, elder abuse, and cases involving people who exploited vulnerable victims.

His experience as a federal criminal prosecutor, Navy veteran, and public-school teacher shaped his belief that the law should be applied fairly, with dignity, preparation, and respect for every person in the courtroom.