John Chiv: I tried to report this welfare fraud by Fortuna's Super 8 motel owner in 2022 and ran into roadblocks from DHHS and the good ole boys; DA finally filed charges last year

May 28, 2025

I tried to report this welfare fraud by Fortuna's Super 8 motel owner in 2022 and ran into roadblocks from DHHS and the good ole boys; DA finally filed charges last year

Pritesh Patel is the owner of Super 8 in Fortuna. He is still on the Humboldt Lodging Alliance Board. The last time I did posts related to Pritesh Patel were in 2022.

Pritesh Patel and Binitaben Patel are co-defendants in a 2024 criminal case and today, their cases are scheduled for a preliminary hearing. Mr. Michael Robinson is representing both the Patels. This is why you hire an experienced defense lawyer like Mr. Robinson. Search warrants are sealed. That request was granted by Retired Judge Christopher Wilson.

Both are charged with three felonies. Welfare & Institutions Code 10980 (c) (2) receiving aid or public assistance by fraud , PC 118 (a) perjury and WI 14014 (a) liability for individuals receiving health care for which they were not eligible, either due to false declarations or by causing others to make false declarations to obtain benefits. Deputy District Attorney Brandon Boozari is the prosecutor for both cases.

The alleged crimes took place between February 11, 2015 to November 30, 2022.

Case dismissed against Binitaben Patel. Pritesh Patel entered a plea and was sentenced by Judge Timothy Canning. Pritesh Patel pleaded guilty to Count 1. Count 2 dismissed. Harvey reservation for Count 3 There is a restitution hearing for Pritesh Patel scheduled for 8/26 as well as a defense motion to reduce the felony to misdemeanor. Sèe court minutes for more details including amounts to be paid to CalFresh and Department of Health.

I was first emailed a tip in 2018, "Attached is an attachment, identifying the individual as a owner in Fortuna ("Patel"). I believe he and his wife are both receiving welfare (food stamps). However, they are both staying in a half million dollar home, and are getting paid below low income to receive those benefits. In addition to that, The Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA) has identified him as representing himself as the owner of properties in Fortuna, and Arcata." This individual also contacted DHHS later.

There were several emails exchanged, I asked the tipster for proper evidence in 2018 and again in 2022, I tried to get as much information as I could with what was provided. As usual, I ran into roadblocks.

Three years later since my posts in 2022, no local media investigated or covered what I tried to get answers to in 2022. In one of the emails I received in 2022, the tipster included Kym Kemp's email address and also mentioned a Kyla. I don't know if the person ever contacted Kym Kemp and if Kyla is Humboldt DA Chief Investigator Kyla Baxley.

Unlike anon commenters on other online sites, I put my name out there so risking the wrath of the good ole boys Rex Bohn, Mike Jones, DHHS , Pritesh Patel. I know Mike Jones does a lot of insurance business with local East Indian business owners.