Former property manager, accomplice arrested on suspicion of embezzling more than $1 million
By SDCN Editor
Del Mar, CA–A former property manager and her accomplice were arrested this week on charges of embezzling more than $1 million from a real estate firm that owns an apartment complex in the 2800 block of Camino Del Mar in Del Mar, authorities said.
Julie Blease, 53 was taken into custody on Wednesday at her home in San Diego. She was booked at the Vista Detention Facility on charges of embezzlement, identity theft, forgery, and money laundering with a white-collar crime enhancement. Colin Miller, 56 was arrested on August 24 in Poway. He was booked at the Vista Detention Facility on charges of grand theft, identity theft, forgery, and money laundering with a white-collar crime enhancement. The enhancement increases the penalty for felony fraud cases, Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Marcello Orsini stated in the department’s news release.
Blease worked for the real estate firm for more than 25 years and her employment was terminated in 2021.
The theft was first reported in late 2021 to the North Coastal Sheriff’s Station. The Sheriff’s Fraud and Elder Abuse Unit conducted an investigation of the theft. During the investigation, detectives discovered the former property manager manipulated the company’s accounting records to cover the misappropriated funds.
The case is under investigation.
