Orinda Real Estate Broker Found Guilty On Eight Felony Counts

A Contra Costa Superior Court jury found Carl Miller, a former real estate broker in Orinda, guilty of eight felony counts for cheating clients young and old out of nearly $2 million.

The jury on Friday delivered guilty verdicts against Miller on four counts of grand theft by embezzlement, three counts of filing false reports and one count of forgery.

They also found Miller, 49, guilty of several enhancements related to individual clients losing more than $500,000 each.

After the verdict, Judge Barbara Zuniga ordered Miller placed in handcuffs and taken into custody.

Miller will be sentenced on Nov. 15. He faces a maximum penalty of 12 years, 8 months in prison.

"We're very happy with the verdict," said Ken McCormick, deputy district attorney in charge of real estate fraud. "We feel justice has been rendered."

"We're disappointed by the verdicts, of course, and Mr. Miller will appeal," said Contra Costa Public Defender Jeffrey Landau, who represented Miller. "The truth remains that Carl Miller is not guilty of these crimes.  While the jurors have had their say, Mr. Miller clearly is not a danger to the public. He should be released from jail and reunited with his family."

Miller is accused of bilking clients through an Orinda real investment firm. McCormick said the victims ranged from an Orinda Boy Scout troop to elderly retirees.

"They trusted him with their money and now it's gone. It's been devastating to them," said McCormick.

Miller had been out on bail, reportedly living in both Orinda and Castro Valley.