Alan David Tikal faces 29 counts of conspiring to commit real estate fraud, mortgage security fraud and filing false documents. He's accused of taking thousands of dollars from his clients in a bid to save their homes from foreclosure.
The defense argued that none of the homeowners involved had lost their homes. But as 7 On Your Side's Michael Finney reported in May, a Fremont man did lose his home after signing up for Tikal's program. Friday the judge said that there was enough evidence for the trial to proceed.
"The bottom line is the homeowners, they're still in their home with the exception on one person who signed into the program who wasn't necessarily a client of Mr. Tikal," said defense attorney Fanya Young.
Three other defendants in this case face lesser charges and will be tried separately.
