Woman Charged with Destroying Evidence in Federal Probe into Husband’s Real Estate Fraud

Jennifer Iturralde Pina of Franklin Lakes is accused of destroying a cell phone to obstruct investigations into her and her husband’s alleged fraud scheme.

Jennifer Iturralde Pina, 43, from Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, has been charged with destruction of records in a federal investigation, as announced by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger. Iturralde allegedly destroyed a cell phone while law enforcement attempted to seize it as part of a probe into a suspected real estate fraud scheme involving her husband, Cesar Humberto Pina, known as “Flipping NJ.”

According to court documents, Cesar Pina was charged in October 2023 with wire fraud related to a real estate investment fraud scheme. After his release on bond, Iturralde reportedly learned that a witness had provided evidence to investigators and asked a friend to discourage the witness from cooperating further.

In early March 2024, law enforcement obtained search warrants for two of Iturralde’s phones, which were believed to contain relevant information about the alleged fraud and witness interference. On March 3, Iturralde reportedly tried to hide one of her phones at a friend’s home. Then, on March 5, after law enforcement seized the friend’s phone and arrived at her residence to retrieve her own phones, Iturralde allegedly destroyed one of them.

The charge of destruction of records carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or double the offense’s financial impact. Both Iturralde and her husband are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.