Local News in Brief : Orange : Jurors Weigh Fate of Ex-Real Estate Broker

Former Orange real estate broker Gerald Ramos, during closing arguments in a federal court trial Thursday, was portrayed alternately as a prime mover and an innocent victim of a property swindle that took $21 million from financial institutions across the country.

Jurors began deliberating a 33-count mail fraud indictment against Ramos, 38, after hearing the contrasting views from the prosecutor and defense attorney in a Los Angeles courtroom.

Ramos’ lawyer, Paul Potter, did not present any evidence, contending that the government failed to prove its case. He portrayed Ramos as a tough businessman who had been manipulated by others. But during the two-week trial, a succession of Ramos’ former business associates--all convicted in an earlier trial--testified against him.

Potter argued that Ramos, who was a fugitive for 12 months before his arrest in Spain last year, was “way over his head” in the complex deal to develop two properties. But Assistant U.S. Atty. Guy Ormes said Ramos actually bought the properties, obtained an appraisal inflating the value of one from $1 million to $18 million, and took $3 million as his share without making any payments on the loans.

At the center of the case is a 440-acre property near Chatsworth that Ramos and partner John Chodak of Laguna Hills bought for $1,050,000 in early 1984, the indictment said. Chodak, who received $3 million from the loan proceeds, has pleaded guilty to fraud charges and testified against Ramos. Six other men--four from Orange county--also have pleaded guilty.