Text Message – Tenant Report to Police Regarding Forgery and Counterfeiting

Summary

This exhibit records Michael Gasio’s follow-up to law enforcement after being ordered to pay rent into two private accounts—one belonging to Phat Tran and another to Hanson Le. Mr. Gasio informed police that the Berkshire Hathaway lease contained a falsified corporate seal, constituting forgery and counterfeiting of a corporate instrument. According to the text, the watch commander responded dismissively, stating that the matter “looked civil” and advised him to “come back when you win.” The tenant relayed to Hanson that even police officers acknowledged the seriousness of using a corporate seal, comparing it to “using a printing press to make your own money.”

Evidence Findings

• Confirms that law enforcement was notified of the alleged counterfeit Berkshire Hathaway seal and dual account payment demand.
• Documents officer acknowledgment that the conduct would constitute counterfeiting if validated.
• Shows systemic failure by police to take a report despite explicit allegation of forgery and fraud under Penal Code §470.
• Provides contemporaneous communication linking the falsified contract (see Exhibits 1017 and 1037) to an active police notification.

Applicable Law

• California Penal Code §470 – Forgery of corporate or official documents bearing a seal or authorization mark.
• California Penal Code §472 – Forgery or counterfeiting of a corporate or public seal.
• 18 U.S.C. § 471–473 – Counterfeiting or possessing forged securities and corporate instruments.
• 18 U.S.C. § 1343 (Wire Fraud) – Transmission of forged documents or payment instructions by electronic means.

Implications

This record demonstrates both the tenant’s attempt to report a felony-level fraud and law enforcement’s refusal to act, leaving the forged Berkshire Hathaway lease and fraudulent payment routing uninvestigated. It confirms that the alleged use of a counterfeit corporate seal and unauthorized dual-bank payment scheme was directly reported, meeting the notice and intent elements for forgery, counterfeiting, and wire-fraud offenses.