Needed: Stronger Protections Against Property and Title Fraud

Findings and Recommendations 1 findings

F1

The Madera County Grand Jury finds that the Madera County Recorder’s office lacks notification procedures protecting against property fraud, leaving property owners at risk as discovered in the below links: ● County Recorder Annual Statistical Property Report Calendar Year: 2023 - 638400447691530000 ● Madera County Clerk-Recorder - https://maderacountyca-web.tylerhost.net/web/ ● Madera County Fraud Tips - https://www.maderacounty.com/Home/Components/News/News/159/

Related Recommendations (1)

R1

The Madera County Grand Jury recommends that the Clerk-Recorder’s Office, within an established timeline - develop, test, and implement an electronic and written notification system to alert property owners of any documents submitted, recorded, or filed against their property. Additionally, in alignment with practices adopted by other California counties mentioned in the above discussion section, the Clerk-Recorder’s Office should: ● Offer alerts for property and identity protection ● Conduct regular reviews of property records ● Require valid identification for all document recordings Examples of Issues Needing Addressed: Forged Deeds & Unauthorized Transfers: Implement stricter verification protocols for deed and title transfers to prevent unauthorized actions by individuals using falsified identification, notary stamps, or forged signatures. Illegitimate Liens: Establish rigorous lien verification procedures to prevent fraudulent liens with no legal basis, protecting property owners from costly legal disputes. Fraudulent Loan Clearances (Mortgage Re-conveyance Fraud): Implement safeguards to prevent manipulation of loan records that falsely show debts as paid, which can enable unauthorized individuals to secure additional loans against a property.

Additional Recommendations 1

These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.

R24-10

● Sample of an alert program for property owners - https://www.placer.ca.gov/8322/Property-fraud-prevention-program ● Sample of an alert program for property owners - https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/3467/Fraud-Notification-Program

Conclusions 6

CL1

Rebuild trust with its workforce.
CL2

Improve morale and engagement.
CL3

Increase overall efficiency.
CL4

Enhance leadership accountability. 37 The MCGJ also underscores the critical need for systemic reforms to address the organizational challenges identified during its investigation. By addressing employee discontent and leadership challenges, the County can support the creation of a supportive and efficient workplace culture across the county. A renewed focus on employee attitudes is not just necessary—it’s an opportunity to create lasting, positive change for Madera County’s workforce and community. These efforts are vital to ensuring that Madera County is well-equipped to meet the needs of its community and achieve long-term organizational success.
CL5

GROUP Business License: The GROUP business license was initiated by a City Administrator. Email records from the city confirm that this was done outside of the ordinances, without planning department approval and without any application being filed by GROUP. Business License Discrepancies: The City Manager instructed Smokehouse to contact a Financial Officer to correct the business license to reflect GROUP's name. This action contradicts the City Manager's denial in last year's jury report that GROUP Smokehouse operated the golf course bar. Email records from the City Clerk’s office confirm that this name correction was done without providing any documents or application by GROUP 153
CL6

In summary, the lack of coordinated action by County Administration, including the CAO’s office, Behavioral Health, Social Services department and CAPMC, has resulted in insufficient enforcement and data collection of existing state and county laws regarding trespassing, loitering and vagrancy citations. This has also resulted in a need for additional Sheriff’s Office deputies dedicated to addressing homelessness and individuals in crisis. Consistent and sustained enforcement is critical to support outreach interventions and provide meaningful assistance to those in crisis or experiencing homelessness. This gap in visibility and response raises serious concerns. All citizens have the right to feel safe and secure. This inaction highlights missed, ignored and avoided opportunities for all agencies to collaborate with outreach programs and effectively utilize health equity initiatives and legal tools to address these pressing issues. Until departmental coordination, the Crisis Stabilization Unit and the Sobering Center are completed, the County must identify and implement regional housing solutions for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Commendations 2

CM1

Sheriff’s Office: Praised for delivering water, clean-ups, and crisis transportation without hesitation and many other acts of compassion, going above and beyond the call of duty. 96
CM2

Madera City Police: Recognized for transporting individuals in crisis to intake points without hesitation and many other acts of compassion. Conclusion: In summary, the lack of coordinated action by County Administration, including the CAO’s office, Behavioral Health, Social Services department and CAPMC, has resulted in insufficient enforcement and data collection of existing state and county laws regarding trespassing, loitering and vagrancy citations. This has also resulted in a need for additional Sheriff’s Office deputies dedicated to addressing homelessness and individuals in crisis. Consistent and sustained enforcement is critical to support outreach interventions and provide meaningful assistance to those in crisis or experiencing homelessness. This gap in visibility and response raises serious concerns. All citizens have the right to feel safe and secure. This inaction highlights missed, ignored and avoided opportunities for all agencies to collaborate with outreach programs and effectively utilize health equity initiatives and legal tools to address these pressing issues. Until departmental coordination, the Crisis Stabilization Unit and the Sobering Center are completed, the County must identify and implement regional housing solutions for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Agency Responses 1

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

2024-2025-08 County Clerk Property Fraud Response

May 19, 2025 • 4 pages • 2 responses • Score: -1 (+0, 1, -1) View Details ▾

PDF

2 responses to findings and recommendations

F1

The Madera County Grand Jury finds that the Madera County Recorder’s office lacks notification procedures protecting against property fraud, leaving property owners at risk as discovered in the below links: ● County Recorder Annual Statistical Property Report Calendar Year: 2023 - 638400447691530000 ● Madera County Clerk-Recorder - https://maderacountyca-web.tylerhost.net/web/ ● Madera County Fraud Tips - https://www.maderacounty.com/Home/Components/News/News/159/

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

On April 29, 2025, my office announced the launch of a notification program set to begin on May 15, 2025. However, I do not believe that the previous lack of such a program placed property owners at a higher risk of falling victim to illegal activity. In fact, law enforcement officials have indicated that electronic notification systems are unlikely to effectively reach the most vulnerable property owners, such as the elderly and non-English speakers.

R1

The Madera County Grand Jury recommends that the Clerk-Recorder’s Office, within an established timeline - develop, test, and implement an electronic and written notification system to alert property owners of any documents submitted, recorded, or filed against their property. Additionally, in alignment with practices adopted by other California counties mentioned in the above discussion section, the Clerk-Recorder’s Office should: ● Offer alerts for property and identity protection ● Conduct re...

Response: Will Not Implement

Scheduled: Written notification program launches May 15, 2025; electronic options under evaluation since late 2024 Score: -1

I support the implementation of an electronic notification program. However, the options currently available have notable limitations-they are relatively new, not fully developed, and can be expensive. For these reasons, my office has chosen to proceed with caution. As the Grand Jury is aware, my office has been evaluating notification program options since late 2024, and this work is ongoing. Additionally, I announced a written notification program on April 29, 2025, which will launch on May 15, 2025. This solution can be supplemented by a more comprehensive electronic system once the options...

No Responses Found 1

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

Madera County Board of Supervisors Elected County Office