Telemarketer Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud

A telemarketing fund-raiser accused of bilking thousands of donors out of more than $27 million pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court in Santa Ana to single counts of mail fraud and money laundering, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.

Mitchell Gold, 44, of San Juan Capistrano also pleaded guilty to another count of mail fraud in connection with a scheme to cheat golfers out of $8 million. Gold, who remains in custody because of an earlier bail violation, faces up to 35 years in prison. He could also be required to pay $21 million in fines as well as restitution to victims, according to prosecutors.

Gold will be sentenced along with Jonathan Cohen, 29, of Tustin, who pleaded guilty last week to a single count of mail fraud in each case. Cohen faces similar penalties.

The men were accused of using telemarketing firms around the country to raise funds on behalf of veterans, firefighters, AIDS patients and children’s groups. Although the men raised $27 million, only $1 million went to the charities.

In the second case, both men were accused of giving golfers a chance to test high-quality golf clubs for free, then charging them $1,500 for the clubs. Although golfers were promised full refunds, Gold and Cohen prevented most from recouping their money, authorities charged.