Bail Fraud Leads to Change in Jail Policy

After a reputed gang member was bailed out of Orange County Jail through the use of bogus cashier’s checks, jail officials have decided they’ll no longer accept such checks for posting bond unless a bank guarantees the funds.

Because of the incident, jailers will accept only cash payments or cashier’s checks during routine banking hours so the funds can be verified, said Jim Amormino, spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Dominic Peter Rizzo, 33, was being held on attempted murder charges when a friend paid his $500,000 bail July 17.

The unidentified man, who gave the jailer a fake name, said he was a friend of Rizzo’s and presented two $250,000 checks to the jailer.

“The checks appeared to be good, and by law we have to take certain tenders,” Amormino said. “No banks were open at the time for us to verify the funds.”

Eighteen days later, officers discovered the checks were phony and ordered a warrant for Rizzo’s rearrest.

If captured, Rizzo will be held on $2 million bail and could face charges of forgery or conspiracy.

Police said Rizzo is a member of a prison skinhead gang with a reputation for counterfeiting and identity theft.

Rizzo was arrested in 1999 for allegedly participating in the stabbing of a man who police said was his friend and the godfather of his child. Authorities contend the stabbing was ordered by leaders of the prison-based gang.