In a shocking turn of events, the wife of an indicted celebrity house flipper with close ties to a popular radio personality is facing federal charges for allegedly destroying incriminating evidence by smashing her cell phone to bits with a hammer as the FBI waited outside her front door to seize it. This case sheds light on the intricate web of deceit and financial manipulation that can lurk behind the glitz and glamour of the real estate industry.

Unraveling a Tangled Web of Fraud and Deception

The Alleged Ponzi Scheme

The case centers around Cesar Humberto "Flipping NJ" Pina, a real estate investor who reportedly first became interested in the industry while serving an 18-month prison sentence for credit card fraud and drug-related crimes. Pina was heavily promoted by DJ Envy, a popular radio personality, on his Power 105.1 FM morning show, The Breakfast Club, as a real estate wizard. Together, they traveled the nation holding real estate seminars, promising investors returns of up to 45% within five months.However, federal prosecutors allege that these promises of quick riches were nothing more than a Ponzi scheme. According to the charges, Pina scammed people into investing in properties he didn't own, solicited investments from multiple people for the same properties, and paid existing investors with money coming in from new ones. In one instance, prosecutors say Pina even attempted to pay an investor back in jewelry.

The Alleged Destruction of Evidence

Pina's wife, Jennifer Iturralde Pina, is now facing federal charges of her own. Prosecutors say that after Pina was indicted in October 2023, Iturralde learned that a confidant had provided evidence to investigators. In response, she allegedly used an encrypted messaging app to instruct a go-between to tell the witness to stop cooperating with the government.When federal agents showed up at the go-between's home in Wyckoff, New Jersey, to seize their phone, another person present called Iturralde to warn her. Almost simultaneously, agents arrived at Iturralde and Pina's home in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, to seize Iturralde's phones.According to the complaint, Iturralde only handed over one of her phones, claiming she had "smashed [the other] with a hammer" and didn't "know where it went." Agents searched the home but were unable to find the destroyed phone, which they believe was operational and located in the vicinity until shortly before they arrived.

The Aftermath and Potential Consequences

Iturralde's alleged actions have only added to the legal troubles facing her and her husband. Pina is already fighting wire fraud charges over the alleged Ponzi scheme, which prosecutors say bilked dozens of investors out of millions of dollars. Iturralde, who is also known as "Jenni Tips," was not charged criminally alongside her husband in the Ponzi case, but is named as a defendant in more than 20 lawsuits over the alleged ruse.If convicted of the destruction of evidence charge, Iturralde faces up to 20 years in prison. This case serves as a stark reminder of the lengths some individuals will go to in an attempt to cover up their misdeeds, and the serious consequences they may face when their actions are uncovered.As the investigation continues, the public will be watching closely to see how this complex web of fraud and deception ultimately unravels, and whether those responsible will be held accountable for their actions.