Overview
- Jose Bernal, 65, was taken into custody in Tustin on Oct. 29 after McDonald’s employees recognized him from a Santa Ana police social‑media bulletin.
- He is accused of presenting himself as an attorney to a woman seeking immigration help in November 2024 and telling her the process would cost $14,000 with a discount if she entered a relationship with him.
- Police say that when she refused and tried to leave his office, he raped her and later offered $400 and a reduced fee if she stayed quiet.
- The alleged assault occurred at 1203 E. 17th St. in Santa Ana, where BMB Multiservices, a tax preparation business, is listed; no record shows Bernal as a licensed lawyer or paralegal in state directories.
- Investigators are verifying his professional background, noting a similarly named person was disbarred in 2012 without confirmation it is the same individual, and they urge tips to Detective M. Tapia at 714-245-8379 or mtapia@santa-ana.org.