Full Breakdown
Beverly Hills Businesswoman Evicted Amid $570 Million Lien Scheme
2/20/2026, 8:01:30 AM
Allegations Against Rita Ortiz
Rita Ortiz, a businesswoman based in Beverly Hills, has been evicted from her residence following accusations of filing fraudulent mechanics liens against multiple homeowners in Los Angeles, totaling an alleged $570 million. Ortiz is said to have filed 35 liens since 2023, which effectively prevented homeowners from selling their properties. The eviction occurred on a Wednesday, with Los Angeles sheriff’s deputies forcibly removing Ortiz from a home on Glendon Avenue, where she was reportedly seen attempting to retrieve personal belongings from her vehicle.
Impact on Homeowners
The liens filed by Ortiz have had significant repercussions for several homeowners, including Marjorie Josaphat, who discovered a lien for over $100 million against her property on Benedict Canyon Drive. Josaphat, who purchased the home in poor condition and renovated it, stated she had never met Ortiz and questioned the legitimacy of the claims. Other neighbors, including Mary Tosky and Andrea Knowles, reported similar experiences, with liens totaling $24 million each for alleged cleaning services that they denied ever receiving.
Josaphat expressed disbelief at the claims, stating, “If she did a job of $24 million, then she owes me money because this place was really a mess.” The liens, which can paralyze a homeowner's ability to sell for 90 days, have raised concerns about the ease with which such claims can be filed under California law.
Ortiz's Defense and Claims
In her defense, Ortiz has claimed that she has been wronged by her neighbors, alleging that they "stole" her property and misled law enforcement regarding her ownership. She stated, “I cleaned this property for around 10 years... the neighbors destroyed my property several times.” Ortiz's assertions suggest a long-standing dispute with her neighbors, which she believes has led to the recent legal actions against her.
Legal and Community Reactions
Legal experts have expressed shock at the scale of Ortiz's actions. Attorney Bruce Rudman remarked, “I’ve never seen anything like this,” while David Beitchman, who has represented affected homeowners, called for changes to California state law to prevent the easy filing of mechanics liens. Both the LAPD and the Beverly Hills Police Department have confirmed they are investigating the claims against Ortiz.
Official Statements & Responses
The Beverly Hills Police Department and LAPD are currently looking into the allegations surrounding Ortiz's lien filings. Ortiz has not provided further comments following her eviction, but her previous statements indicate a belief that she is a victim of fraud by her neighbors.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Ortiz claims to have provided services over a decade, homeowners like Josaphat and Tosky maintain they have never engaged with her or her company, Ortiz Consulting LLC. The discrepancies in their accounts highlight the complexities of the situation and raise questions about the validity of the liens filed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I don’t know who Rita Ortiz is. This place was abandoned. There’s nothing to clean. If she did a job of $24 million, then she owes me money because this place was really a mess.” — Marjorie Josaphat, Homeowner
- “I don’t know who Rita Ortiz is. This place was abandoned. There’s nothing to clean. If she did a job of $24 million, then she owes me money because this place was really a mess.” — Marjorie Josaphat, Homeowner
- “I cleaning this property for around 10 years working for this property for over 10 years, they neighbors Benedict Canyon Dr. destroyed my property several times.” — Rita Ortiz, Businesswoman
- “I’ve never seen anything like this.” — Bruce Rudman, Attorney
- “ David Beitchman, who represented a homeowner against Ortiz, said California state law needs to change to stop mechanics liens being filed so easily.” — David Beitchman, Attorney
