Robert Osborne, a MV resident and former executive of the Mission Viejo Company, pleaded not guilty Friday in Riverside County Superior Court to charges of money laundering and political bribery. District Attorney Rod Pacheco charged Osborne with 90 counts, including 25 felonies and 65 misdemeanors, according to the Press-Enterprise.
The case so far involves nine individuals, including four members of the San Jacinto City Council. D.A. Pacheco alleges hundred of thousands of dollars were laundered by the defendants in a scheme to conceal political contributions to achieve personal or business agendas.
Osborne’s development company has built a number of home tracts in the Hemet – San Jacinto Valley. It also has considerable land holdings in the Valley. His company is currently selling housing in two neighborhoods in San Jacinto, two more in Hemet, and another in nearby unincorporated Winchester, according to real estate broker John Occhi. Osborne also had an interest in a 30-acre luxury horse ranch in the Valley with a 5-acre lake stocked with several fish species.
Osborne is free on bail.
