Coto de Caza Woman Pleads Not Guilty in $3 Million Scam on Churchgoers

An Orange County businessman and his accountant wife appeared in court today on charges of defrauding investors -- including a former Major League Baseball player -- and stealing more than $3 million from people they met in church.

Steven Andrew McKinlay, 58, and Kristi B. McKinlay, 56, both of Coto de Caza, face 10 felony counts of using untrue statements in the purchase or sale of a security, plus counts of grand theft and use of a device in a fraud scheme.

Kristi McKinlay pleaded not guilty today, while her husband’s arraignment was delayed until Jan. 15, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

The complaint filed Dec. 14 includes sentencing enhancement allegations for loss over $100,000, aggravated white collar crime over $500,000, and causing property damage with loss over $1.3 million, prosecutors said.

The couple -- who owned a sporting goods company known as God’s Sports Company -- are accused of victimizing more than 10 people, including the ex- ball player, whose name was not immediately available, along with a family friend who came into money through a personal injury, and a cancer patient who wanted to secure an inheritance for his family, prosecutors said. Their investments ranged from $22,500 to more than $700,000.

Prosecutors allege the McKinlays spent investors’ money on $10,000-a- month rent for a San Clemente home and $7,000 monthly rent for a Coto de Caza home, paying for their daughter’s wedding, purchasing a luxury suite at Anaheim Stadium for Angels games, buying cars and paying off old debts and day-to-day expenses.

Many of the victims had been associated with the defendants through the church they attended -- a scheme known as affinity fraud, according to Orange County’s top prosecutor.

“Affinity fraud most commonly happens in church, where victims are asked to invest with a false sense of trust in an investor who preaches morals and ethics,” District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said. “I want to remind the public that affinity fraud can also happen with people having the same nationality, race, or are living in senior living communities.”

He added, “Nobody is exempt from affinity fraud and people should vet everyone before investing, especially those they have a lot in common with or they think they know well and can trust.”

The McKinlays, who remain in custody in lieu of $3 million bail, face up to 23 years and eight months in state prison if convicted as charged, prosecutors said.

City News Service