Santa Barbara Man Accused of Stealing More than $1 Million from Family Members

On By Karl

Stefan Bernard DeWitte Charged with Embezzlement, Forgery, Money Laundering and More

A Santa Barbara man was arrested on multiple fraud charges after allegedly stealing over $1 million from family members.

Santa Barbara County District Attorney John T. Savrnoch announced Friday that charges have been filed against 38-year-old Santa Barbara resident Stefan Bernard DeWitt.

DeWitte is charged with 49 crimes, including Embezzlement, Forgery, and Theft by False Pretense.
Securities Fraud and 37 counts of Money Laundering. He is also charged with Aggravated Felony
According to Savrnoch, three Special Indictments of White Collar Crime Enhancement for allegedly receiving more than $500,000.00 and laundering more than $50,000.00 within a 30-day period.

In total, DeWitte allegedly stole more than $1,000,000.00 from three different individuals; two are believed to be family members and the third is from California Pacific Realty.

District Attorney Investigator Kristen Shamordola of the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Real Estate Fraud Unit conducted the investigation. according to 35-page criminal complaintThe crimes occurred between 2021 and 2023.

DeWitte, whose occupation is listed as “Real Estate Broker” in his booking information, is accused of forging the deed and appurtenances of a home in the 600 block of S. San Marcos Road in Santa Barbara. He is also accused of fraudulently receiving money to invest in the fictitious “BETTER FUTURES FUND IV/GREEN TRIANGLES CORP.”

The complaint also lists a detailed record of where DeWitte spent some of the stolen money. Fares have been increased for travel expenses to Austin, Texas, in 2022 for ILLfest, a music and arts festival, as well as fares for a number of bars, restaurants, Doordash and Uber rides.

DeWitte also used illicit funds to dine at local establishments such as Honor Bar, Milk & Honey, Dargans, Caje, SOhO, and Tee Off.

DeWitte was arrested on October 31, 2024 and is being held in Santa Barbara County Jail on $800,000 bail. He was still in custody as of November 1, 2024.

His case is set for hearing on November 4, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. in Santa Barbara County Superior Court Division 8, based on the complaint.