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District Attorney's Office and Recorder-Clerk's Office recommending the Board:
1) Receive and file the 21st Annual Report on Real Estate Fraud for Fiscal Year 2025-26;
2) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 130-2026, extending the current suspension of the Real Estate Fraud recording fee through December 31, 2026, and thereafter, reinstating said fee at $2.00 per recording, effective January 1, 2027; and
3) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign a Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget transfer transferring $10,680 of Real Estate Fraud Special Revenue Fund funding to the Recorder-Clerk’s Office and increasing services and supplies appropriations by $10,680. (4/5 vote required)
FUNDING: Real Estate Fraud Prosecution Fund.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
In accordance with Government Code Section 27388(d), the Board of Supervisors must annually review the effectiveness of the District Attorney’s Office in deterring, investigating, and prosecuting Real Estate Fraud, based on information provided in the District Attorney’s annual report. The report is attached.
As presented at the 21st Annual Real Estate Fraud Committee meeting on July 13, 2026, the total number of FY 2025-26 Real Estate Fraud cases reported to the District Attorney’s Office has slightly decreased compared to the prior year. As of June 30, 2026, a total of 30 cases had been reported and investigated. Notice of Defaults increased by 9%, and Notices of Trustee Sales increased by 55% compared to the previous year’s data.
This year, the Office received reports of solar panel scams occurring in El Dorado County. Sales personnel from certain solar companies reportedly targeted elderly residents, leading to high installation costs, long-term payment commitments, and little or no return on investment. This trend is occurring statewide, and investigations into solar company sales practices will continue.
The Real Estate Fraud Program also continued its collaboration with the Recorder-Clerk’s Of...
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