Santa Barbara County man convicted in school scheme; caused $6 million in losses to victims

Posted: Jul 23, 2010 3:55 PM by Shelby Rhodes
Updated: Jul 23, 2010 5:38 PM

A Santa Ynez man who falsely promised bartending and "mystery shopper" jobs to people around the country has been convicted of 10 federal fraud charges, and could face up to 200 years in federal prison.

Steven P. Todorovic, 40, was found guilty Thursday of seven counts of wire fraud and three counts of mail fraud, victimizing more than 80,000 people nation-wide.

Todorovic promised several companies in Santa Barbara, including American Bartending Institute and Consumer Response Group, to advertise and sell his non-existent training program, "certifications" and job referrals. The United States Attorney's Office said the evidence showed that he placed advertisements in newspapers across the country, offering bartender and "mystery shopping jobs".

The individuals who inquired about the jobs were misled into thinking they had to purchase his company's certification programs, with a promise that the certifications would come with referrals to bars and retail establishments hiring bartenders or mystery shoppers.

Todorovic had no actual certifications to offer, or jobs either.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said the evidence at the trial showed that more than 80,000 victims across the United States were defrauded by the scheme, which earned Todorovic more than $6.1 million.

Todorovic is scheduled to be sentenced on October 18 by United States District Judge Terry J. Hatter Jr. The case against Todorovic was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The matter was referred by the Federal Trade Commission, which had filed a civil lawsuit against Todorovic.