The Region : Couple Charged in Fraud

Former Pasadena developer Stanley S. Sirotin and his wife were charged Wednesday with five counts of embezzling $3.7 million from 34 investors through an intricate scheme that prosecutors allege made use of European bank accounts and Panamanian corporations. Deputy Dist. Atty. Timothy Browne said his office will initiate extradition proceedings to bring Sirotin, 62, and his wife, Alice Beryl, from England, where they have lived since April, 1984. The charges resulted from a two-year state and county investigation that is continuing. Prosecutors allege that Sirotin defrauded the investors during the development of The Commons, a retail complex in downtown Pasadena that remains financially troubled.