After acquittal in murder for hire case, East Bay man sentenced for fraud

July 06--MARTINEZ -- The former manager of a junk pick-up and recycling business who beat a murder-for-hire case was sentenced to prison last week, after being convicted of 37 counts related to fraud.

Pittsburg resident Charles Waldo was sentenced to 21 years in prison, but when he went into trial in March, Waldo was facing life. He was accused of hiring a fellow county jail inmate to kill nine witnesses against him in an insurance fraud and embezzlement case, where Waldo was accused of cooking the books at a junk business he helped manage, and stealing high-priced equipment.

But jurors apparently didn't believe two jailhouse informants with lengthy criminal records who testified against Waldo. Both jailhouse informants were released from jail after cooperating with law enforcement, and within weeks had been re-arrested and charged with new crimes.

Prosecutors were able to convince jurors, though, that Waldo was running illegal moneymaking schemes. He was convicted of 37 counts including insurance fraud, embezzlement, grand theft, illegal gun possession, and arson. Prosecutors say that when he helped run the Martinez junk business, he set up his own cars to be stolen or burned, took money from the business, and also stole a $38,000 generator.

It was a contentious trial that included allegations of misconduct and tense moments in court. Judge Barry Baskin indicated at one point he would hold Waldo's attorney, Chris Martin, in contempt of court, but decided not to at Waldo's sentencing, Martin said.

Waldo, in a jailhouse interview before trial, conceded his guilt on some charges but adamantly denied embezzling the money, saying he was being scapegoated for shady practices of the business's owner, a prosecution witness, who was engaged in a lawsuit with Waldo.

The sentence of 21 years, eight months is one of the longest secured in a fraud case, according to a Contra Costa District Attorney news release that makes no mention of the failed murder-for-hire prosecution. With good behavior, Waldo will be eligible for release after serving half his sentence.

Waldo was also ordered to pay $22,5000 in fines and stay away from one of his victims. Martin, Waldo's attorney, said his client is planning to appeal the verdict.

"Mr. Waldo did not get a fair trial due to the trumped up murder for hire charged being lumped together with the insurance counts," Martin said, later calling the DA's press release an attempt to curry favor with the insurance agency and get more grant funding.

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