In-Depth Report

Ruiz testifies on checks, land deal as AEA fraud trial continues

BY JOYCE LOBECK - SUN STAFF WRITER

PHOENIX — updated 8 p.m. - Businessman Frank Ruiz described on the stand Friday how he made thousands of dollars in cash payments to William Liddle and his wife, Rhonda, who are on trial for 68 counts of money laundering, conspiracy and fraud. ... Full story

Ruiz testimony continues in AEA fraud case

BY JOYCE LOBECK - SUN STAFF WRITER

PHOENIX — 8:45 p.m. update - On the stand Thursday in the trial of a former AEA official, businessman Frank Ruiz described a series of loans and loan additions he obtained even though he neither asked for nor wanted the money, ending up million... Full story

Liddle trial: Thelen continues testimony

Frank Ruiz later takes witness stand

BY JOYCE LOBECK - SUN STAFF WRITER

PHOENIX — On the second day on the stand in the trial against a former AEA Credit Union official, Dan Thelen testified how he came about assuming all of the debt — about $15 million — for the Yuma Fun Factory.The trial in U.S. Distr... Full story

Frank Ruiz takes stand in AEA fraud case in Phoenix

BY JOYCE LOBECK - SUN STAFF WRITER

PHOENIX - UPDATED 4:50 p.m. - As testimony continued today, Frank Ruiz took the stand in the AEA fraud trial in Phoenix. Today’s testimony with Ruiz focused on preliminary information, such as his background and when he first met William Liddl... Full story

Testimony begins in loan officer Liddle's trial

BY JOYCE LOBECK - SUN STAFF WRITER

PHOENIX — On the third day of the trial of a former AEA business loan officer, Dan Thelen spent six hours on the witness stand relating their friendship and the increasing web of loans and business activities he found himself involved in that l... Full story

Trial under way for couple charged in AEA case

BY JOYCE LOBECK - SUN STAFF WRITER

The trial has begun for a Yuma couple accused of committing fraud involving millions of dollars against the AEA Federal Credit Union.Jury selection was held Thursday in U.S. District Court in Phoenix for the trial of Bill Liddle and his wife, Rhonda.... Full story

Top of the Kress closes doors after New Year's Eve party

BY JOYCE LOBECK - SUN STAFF WRITER

Just hours after hundreds rang in the New Year at Top of Kress, the popular downtown nightclub closed its doors.Frank Ruiz, principal partner of Desert Best Enterprises, which owns the property, “has voluntarily surrendered the Top of the Kress... Full story

Bankruptcy court ordered DaBoyz rent be turned over to AEA

BY JOYCE LOBECK - SUN STAFF WRITER

All rent payments made by DaBoyz Italian Cuisine have been credited to AEA Federal Credit Union as part of the Top of the Kress bankruptcy, but it took a court order.The Yuma Sun recently obtained a copy of a court order filed April 7 in U.S. Bankrup... Full story

Past articles on the fraud case and the fallout of local businesses

AEA tries to recover lost funds in court - Oct. 17, 2011 Realtor claims breach of contract, defamation by AEA - Sept. 23, 2011 AEA reports second-quarter profit - Aug. 2, 2011 Latest AEA report: $31.8 million loss over 15 months - July 16, 2011 ... Full story

New owners for Yuma Fun Factory

BY JOYCE LOBECK, SUN STAFF WRITER

The management group for the Yuma Fun Factory has become the ownership group for the family entertainment mecca. New owners are LaVette Malone, who is the general manager; Robert Busse; who designed the center; and Dan Thelen, owner of the land wher... Full story

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