Judge Lowers Bail for Man Held in Scam : Courts: James Robert Borzynski, accused of conning three women out of $87,000, faces three counts of grand theft.

An Orange County Superior Court judge Tuesday reduced bail for a former used car salesman accused of conning three Orange County women out of $87,000.

Superior Court Judge David T. McEachen set bail at $100,000 for James Robert Borzynski, who was ordered two weeks ago to stand trial on three counts of grand theft.

Municipal Judge Pamela L. Iles--who heard three local women testify that Borzynski posed as a Newport Beach lawyer and promised to marry them just to empty their bank accounts--had described Borzynski in post-trial comments as a “sociopathic predator.”

Iles also raised Borzynski’s bond from $50,000 to $500,000, saying she feared that he would flee because he is a fugitive from authorities in Wisconsin, where he was convicted for forgery.

Borzynski, a former Laguna Niguel resident, has denied any wrongdoing. His lawyer, Gregory W. Jones, acknowledged that the former used car salesman lied to the three local women about his identity, but said the women gave his client “loans” in what were “boyfriend-girlfriend” relationships.

At Borzynski’s arraignment in Superior Court on Tuesday, Jones asked McEachen to reduce his client’s bail, claiming that he was not a flight risk or a threat to society.

“I have no reason to believe that he’s more dangerous now than when his bail was set at $50,000,” Jones said.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Joe D’Agostino urged the judge to “keep the bail in the six-figures range,” claiming that prosecutors know about five other alleged victims of Borzynski’s who live outside Orange County.

D’Agostino asserted that Borzynski was about to victimize another woman when police arrested him Nov. 4 in Tiburon.

McEachen, who was recently sworn in as a Superior Court judge, said he would follow a recommendation by court officials to set bail at $100,000.

Borzynski is expected to appear before Superior Court Judge Francisco P. Briseno on Jan. 14 to determine when his trial will be held.