The Lake Havasu City Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit began an investigation back in January of 2017 after receiving a report of an alleged fraudulent scheme involving mortgage contracts. The investigation led to the service of two search warrants on May 4, 2017, at approximately 10:00 a.m., by the Lake Havasu City Police Department. One warrant was served in the 3100 block of Shoshone Drive and the other in the 2100 block of McCulloch Boulevard.

A felony arrest warrant was also issued for the suspect, 42-year old Lake Havasu City resident Leighton L. Ward, who was arrested without incident by authorities in northern California on May 4, 2017.  Ward remains in custody in California pending extradition to Arizona where he will face multiple felony charges including fraud, fraudulent schemes and artifices, theft and forgery.

The elaborate scheme involved Ward posing as an associate of a company by the name of Advocacy for Consumer Rights. In exchange for payment of a few thousand dollars, Ward advised he could assist with getting residents out of the binding terms of their mortgage contract and get money refunded to them based on the language of their mortgage contracts. Ward is being investigated by other state and federal agencies for similar complaints nationwide involving his business. 

The Mohave County Attorney’s Office assisted during the investigation. Multiple victims have been identified locally and Ward also has a felony warrant out of Tennessee for similar fraud allegations.  

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Detective Brian Madsen with the Lake Havasu City Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit at 928-855-1171.  

Public Information Officer:  Sergeant Tom Gray (928) 855-1171

Attachment:  Booking photo of Leighton L. Ward