Jonathan Tudor, a 64-year-old man from West Hollywood, was arrested for allegedly scamming victims out of thousands of dollars by posing as a luxury car executive and promising discounted high-end vehicles that were never delivered. He faces multiple felony charges, including grand theft and money laundering, and detectives are seeking additional victims of his scheme.
So far, detectives have identified four victims in Santa Barbara County. The Santa Barbara Police Department has also taken similar reports, and authorities believe there may be more victims in the Los Angeles area and beyond.
Search Warrant
Legal Consequences
Tudor faces 61 felony counts, including theft by false pretenses, grand theft, money laundering, and financial elder abuse. His bail is set at $350,000. Authorities have identified four victims in Santa Barbara County but believe there may be more victims in the Los Angeles area and beyond.
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of fraud involving Jonathan Tudor is urged to contact Detective Kiesow at (805) 681-4150. If you would like to remain anonymous you can submit information at https://www.sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip/ or by calling 805-681-4171.
Key Details of the Scam
Modus Operandi- False Promises: Tudor claimed to offer exclusive deals on luxury cars.
- Event Hosting: In November 2024, he hosted a private event in Santa Barbara, where he invited guests to view luxury vehicles.
- Contracts and Payments: Victims were persuaded to sign contracts and wire payments, typically around $16,000, for vehicles that did not exist.
Investigation and Arrest
Initial Report: The investigation began on March 30, 2025, after a victim reported paying for a vehicle that was never delivered.
Search Warrant
On July 29, 2025, detectives executed a search warrant at Tudor's home, uncovering over $250,000 worth of luxury goods from brands like Hermès, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton, believed to be purchased with victims' money.
Legal Consequences
Tudor faces 61 felony counts, including theft by false pretenses, grand theft, money laundering, and financial elder abuse. His bail is set at $350,000. Authorities have identified four victims in Santa Barbara County but believe there may be more victims in the Los Angeles area and beyond.
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of fraud involving Jonathan Tudor is urged to contact Detective Kiesow at (805) 681-4150. If you would like to remain anonymous you can submit information at https://www.sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip/ or by calling 805-681-4171.
The Law
Money Laundering -- California Penal Code [186.9 - 186.10] Money laundering is the process of concealing the origin of illegally obtained money, often referred to as "dirty money," and converting it into assets that appear legitimate. This typically involves three stages: placement, layering, and integration, where the illicit funds are introduced into the financial system, obscured through various transactions, and ultimately made to seem legal.Larceny -- California Penal Code [484 - 502.9] Larceny is defined as the unlawful taking and carrying away of someone else's personal property with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of that property. It is considered a specific type of theft under criminal law.
Grand Theft -- California Penal Code [487]Grand theft in California is defined as the unlawful taking of someone else's property valued at over $950, or certain items like vehicles or firearms, without permission and with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of it. It can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony, with penalties ranging from up to one year in county jail to three years in state prison, depending on the circumstances of the crime. Nationally, grand theft is a criminal offense involving the unlawful taking of property valued above a certain amount, typically between $1,000 and $5,000, with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of it. The specific value threshold and legal definitions can vary by state.
California Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (California Welf. & Inst. Code §§ 15600 et seq, "Elder Abuse Act"), "elder abuse" is defined as "physical abuse, neglect, financial abuse, abandonment, isolation, abduction, or other treatment with resulting harm or pain or mental suffering."
Cases of Note
People v. Williams, 57 Cal. 4th 776, 795, 305 P.3d 1241, 1253 (2013)
As the majority acknowledges, the crime of theft is comprised of several different common law crimes, including theft by larceny, theft by trick, and theft by false pretenses. (See People v. Cuellar (2008) 165 Cal.App. 4th 833, 837, 81 Cal.Rptr.3d 252.) However, in 1927, our Legislature consolidated these common law crimes into a single statutory crime denoted “theft” (CPC § 484).