LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Some high-profile influencers are on the heart of a multi-million-dollar theft case, the 8 Information Now Investigators have discovered.
Bobbi Awad, often known as Bobbi Vargas, stole greater than $2.3 million from entrepreneurs Grant and Elena Cardone and spent cash on designer garments, a private shopper, a housekeeper, extravagant dwelling gadgets, and her enterprise, in response to a Las Vegas Metro police arrest report.
Awad appeared in Las Vegas Justice Courtroom Wednesday morning after a warrant was issued for her arrest.
Grant and Elena Cardone are actual property traders, motivational audio system, and vocal supporters of President Donald Trump. Elena Cardone had began a GoFundMe account for Trump for his civil fraud fines in 2024.
Awad is the founding father of Bodela, a wellness product firm, and he or she was a speaker at ‘Prime Entrepreneurship and Management Convention 2023,’ in response to her Instagram web page. She is married to Joe Vargas, in response to her lawyer Michael Christalli. Joe Vargas is a self-proclaimed ‘hustler’ and, in response to a LinkedIn account, founder and CEO of ‘BuyLegalMeds CBD Dispensary.’
Police recognized almost $450,000 in fraudulent purchases on Amazon with 5 completely different bank cards belonging to the Cardones from April 1, 2021, to March 18, 2024, in response to the report. Police stated Awad bought a complete of 7400 gadgets, together with a brick pizza oven, an 83-inch tv, and twin dual-range fuel range.
Awad funded a PayPal account with 4 bank cards belonging to the Cardones to fraudulently acquire almost $2 million, in response to the report. Police wrote she “co-mingled legal and illegal funds.”
Awad spent almost $169,000 on designer merchandise, made 147 funds to her enterprise, Bodela, LLC, totaling almost $800,000, and paid her workers with the Cardones’ funds, police stated.
Police included a listing of people they stated Awad paid, similar to the private shopper, housekeeper, electrician and contractor, together with shops similar to Web-A-Porter, Pottery Barn, and eBay.
“This pattern of financial transactions showed Awad used a front company (Bodela LLC) to launder the proceeds of this theft,” police wrote.
A buddy, recognized as a 3rd sufferer of theft, instructed police she beforehand loaned Awad cash and most not too long ago loaned her $100,000, in response to the report. She stated Awad insisted on paying her again after which gave her a shoe field with what she believed was faux cash, police wrote.
Detectives “contacted propmoney.com and learned Awad purchased a total of $103,0000 in various denominations,” the report acknowledged.
The faux cash was delivered to Awad’s dwelling three days earlier than she gave it to her buddy, police stated.
The investigation started after Elena Cardone stated American Categorical notified her about suspicious transactions and weird buy patterns on her bank card in February of 2024, which included 10 Amazon reward playing cards despatched to Bobbi Awad, the report acknowledged. Cardone stated Awad was a former buddy and he or she didn’t give her permission to make use of the bank cards.
Awad faces 19 felony expenses, together with six counts of theft larger than $100,000, two counts of theft with a worth larger than $25,000 and fewer than $100,000, 4 counts of launder or try and launder cash or property, six counts of acquiring or utilizing one other particular person’s identification inflicting a lack of greater than $3,000, and one depend of acquire or possess a credit score or debit card with out the cardholders consent.
Choose Eric Goodman allowed Awad to stroll by means of jail and stay out of custody on her personal recognizance with out posting bail cash. Goodman additionally issued a warning.
“The first problem I have with you will be the last problem I have with you,” Goodman instructed her. “I’ll put you into custody. I’ll keep you in custody.”
Awad’s lawyer, Michael Christalli identified Awad has no felony historical past and didn’t flee after police searched her dwelling and seized property roughly a 12 months in the past.
Christalli stated Awad had lived with Grant and Elena Cardone and had authorization to make use of a bank card. It’s unclear when that authorization might have ended.
Clark County Chief Deputy District Legal professional Colleen Baharav stated the allegations span from April of 2021 to February of 2024.
Baharav had argued for a bail quantity of $50,000, plus high-level digital monitoring and a supply listening to, which might reveal the place bail cash would originate from. She identified that a number of the expenses Awad faces carry hefty penalties, similar to an eight to 20-year jail sentence.
Christalli instructed Goodman Awad has a son with autism who wants 24-hour care.
“Isn’t that something to think about before you allegedly steal 2.3 million dollars?” Goodman responded. “Isn’t that a concern before you’re in court in front of me?”
Christalli stated Awad was identified with most cancers.There’s at present an insurance coverage investigation and claims have been made for belongings taken, in response to Christalli.Joe Vargas shouldn’t be a defendant within the case, Christalli famous.
Awad is scheduled to seem again in court docket on June 12.To achieve investigative reporter Vanessa Murphy, e-mail [email protected].
