A tenant who pretended to own a Natomas condo and ripped-off at least four other potential renters has pleaded no contest to the felony charges.
Michael Eugene Blair pleaded no contest to four felony counts of theft under false pretenses. As part of his plea deal, he'll serve 12 months in jail and pay restitution, according to the Sacramento Police Department.
Last May, Blair was himself about to be evicted from a condo on Danbrook drive after his own rent payment checks bounced. He then advertised the condo for rent on Craigslist, posing as the owner.
Detectives say he collected thousands of dollars in deposits, and was in the process of victimizing more potential renters when he was arrested last May.
Blair, 28, is apparently no stranger to fraud. Police say he's awaiting extradition to Colorado on pending fraud charges there, and is also facing probation violations for theft-related crimes in Florida.
The key tip in the case came from one potential victim who became suspicious of Blair, checking with Sacramento County's Assessor's Office to learn Blair is not the real owner. Detectives say that's one effort any potential tenant should take to ensure they're dealing with the legitimate landlord.
Detectives say they often receive similar complaints on such rental advertisements on Craigslist or other internet sites. Besides checking county records, potential tenants are urged to use reputable rental agencies, never pay in cash and insist anyone who claims to be the landlord to produce identification.
Blair remains in custody at Sacramento's jail and is scheduled for formal sentencing October 17.
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