Newport Couple Launders Money For Winery, Luxury Cars: OCDA

NEWPORT BEACH, CA —A couple in Newport Beach allegedly convinced three different local banks to lend money upwards of $5.9 million in a money laundering scheme that afforded them luxury cars and an investment in a winery, the Orange County District Attorney has said.

The pair, Ronald Cedric Touchard, 59 and his wife Misty Denise Touchard, 43, both were charged with money laundering and other crimes and are scheduled to be arraigned Thursday.

Ronald Touchard was charged with 54 counts of money laundering, along with three counts of grand theft and three counts of recording a false or forged document. Misty Touchard was charged with 13 counts of money laundering and three counts of grand theft.

According to prosecutors, Ronald Touchard filed phony documents in Delaware claiming to be the sole officer of a Laguna Beach investment company called Capital Win Corporation and Gainquick LLC, then took over the titles of three Newport Beach homes he did not own.

Touchard allegedly convinced three lenders that he held the deed on the homes as the president of the investment company, and he was able to obtain equity loans of $5.9 million. He and his wife are accused of using the money to make large purchases, including a winery and a Land Rover.

The couple also allegedly moved the money among various bank accounts in an effort to avoid detection, prosecutors said.

Ronald Touchard faces more than 55 years in prison if convicted, prosecutors said. His wife is facing 24 years and eight month behind bars. And yes, her booking photo shows Misty Touchard in a t-shirt that reads: "White wine in the day time."

City News Service contributed to this report.

OCDA Photos