Travel agents plead guilty
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Two San Jose
travel agents are facing years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of
defrauding customers out of more than $1 million.
Joseph Maloof and Ron Hansen both pleaded guilty to 13
felony charges Tuesday related to the embezzlement of their travel agency
clients during 2004 and 2005.
The 67-year-old Maloof and 54-year-old Hansen booked tours
for religious pilgrimages, elderly travelers, education groups and other
excursions.
Prosecutors say the two men bilked their clients by
canceling planned trips weeks or days before the departure, then failed to
refund payments for the trips.
Because of a prior conviction, Hansen is facing up to 28
years in prison when sentenced, while Maloof is facing up to 14 years.
Both defendants are scheduled to be sentenced in
September.