Defense rests in child molestation trial The...

Defense rests in child molestation trial

The defense rested its case Thursday in the trial of a Corona del

Mar woman accused of sexually molesting a young teenage girl.

Victoria Hawlish, 41, is accused of inappropriately touching the

girl, who was 15 at the time, in 2003. The girl was a family friend

who had been living in Hawlish’s Corona del Mar home during the time

of the alleged incidents.

Last week the alleged victim testified that Hawlish had touched

her breasts and buttocks about 40 times and bought her sex toys. The

girl’s older sister also claimed that she was inappropriately touched

by Hawlish.

Closing arguments will begin Monday.

Newport Beach man sentenced to 12 1/2 years

A Newport Beach man who passed himself off as an attorney was

sentenced to 12 1/2 years in federal prison Wednesday for lying in

court about his occupation.

Harold Goldstein, 60, operated an office in Newport Beach where he

claimed to be a criminal defense and immigration attorney, officials

said. Goldstein operated under the name David Goldstein, a Northern

California attorney.

Goldstein defrauded more than 50 victims out of more than $70,000,

U.S. Attorney’s Office spokesman Thom Mrozek said.

Employees at his law firm grew suspicious when they saw legal

documents filed by David Goldstein on Harold Goldstein’s behalf,

Mrozek said. An investigation revealed that he was practicing law

without a license, he said.

Goldstein was convicted in 2003 of making false statements to a

court and in 2004 of mail fraud.