Fifteen people were indicted last week in San Bernardino for illegal kickback schemes which involved several bail bond companies. Most defendants were indicted on December 6, 2007, by a special criminal grand jury who originally charged them back in 2004.
According to the indictment, these people worked for Boone’s Bail Bonds, Arzate Bail Bonds, and the Bail Hotline. The son of the former San Bernardino County Sheriff Floyd Tidwell was involved as well!
John Barnett, a high profile Orange County attorney representing Shirley Tidwell, said that he was not surprised by the indictment and that his client would be vindicated of the charges.
Over thirty people were charged with the bail bond investigation in 2004 and many accepted plea agreements. Those who fought the charges were eventually indicted last week.