Jury convicts Newport lawyer of attempted extortion, conspiracy

James Toledano, a former chairman of the Orange County Democratic Party and three-time state Assembly candidate, was convicted last week of two felonies related to an extortion scheme.

A jury found him guilty of conspiracy to commit a crime and attempted extortion by threat, according to the Orange County District Atty.’s office.

Toledano, 70, could face a maximum sentence of four years in state prison, according to prosecutors.

Six years ago, Toledano — a Newport Beach-based lawyer — represented personal trainer Michael Earl Roberts of Corona del Mar.

Roberts allegedly was intent on extorting hundreds of thousands of dollars from Priscilla and Richard Marconi, owners of the Marconi Automotive Museum in Tustin.

He had worked for the Marconis from 1999 until 2005, when they fired him, according to prosecutors.

Between 2006 and 2008, Roberts called Priscilla Marconi and her friends dozens of times and threatened to sue or “destroy” them, according to prosecutors.

In a restraining order against Roberts, the Marconis accused him of living in a world “that did not exist anywhere but in his mind.”

The Marconis alleged Roberts thought he’d had an affair with Priscilla Marconi and was entitled to a sum of the couple’s money.

In 2008, Toledano met with the Marconis’ lawyer and threatened that Roberts would begin spreading lies to local media if the couple didn’t hand over $350,000, prosecutors said.

Later that year, Newport Beach police arrested Roberts and Toledano.

In October, an Orange County Superior Court judge sentenced Roberts to six months in jail after he pleaded guilty to felony charges of conspiracy and extortion and two misdemeanor counts each of making anonymous phone calls and making annoying or harassing phone calls.

Toledano served one term as chairman of the Orange County Democratic Party. He decided not to pursue a second term in 1997.

He’s scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 30.