Woman behind multimillion dollar liens comes to ABC7 to tell her side

Thursday, February 26, 2026
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Rita Ortiz, the woman behind multimillion dollar mechanics liens that have gained national attention, is now speaking out.

Earlier this month, 7 On Your Side Investigates broke the story of how Ortiz has hit several homeowners in Benedict Canyon and beyond with massive liens for services like cleaning.

But the homeowners on Benedict Canyon Drive with the massive liens who we spoke to say they never hired Ortiz to do any work.

This week, Ortiz came to ABC7 and went in front of the camera to detail her side of the story.

"Honest, professional, work so hard, pick up heavy, heavy, heavy furniture to clean destroyed properties," Ortiz told 7 On Your Side Investigates.



"You can imagine it. Picking up heavy, heavy, heavy destroyed property. A lot of trash, like, I can show you, Benedict Canyon, how many times I clean it," she said.

As ABC7 reported earlier this month, Ortiz has hit multiple homeowners on Benedict Canyon Drive with $24.6 million mechanics liens claiming work and materials like "cleaning services" and "equipment" went unpaid.

Homeowners dispute that, especially Marjorie Josaphat, who just last month got hit with an additional $98.5 million lien from Ortiz for various work and "10 contracts" and "80 agreements."

"I don't know who Rita Ortiz is," Josaphat told us from inside her home when we first reported on the liens. "This place was abandoned. There's nothing to clean"

Josphat bought her home last year to flip and worries the liens are clouding her title as she tries to sell it.



Ortiz has a history with Josaphat's home and claims it's hers, but a court ruled the deed Ortiz had was "void."

"I need my stuff back. I need my agreements back," Ortiz told us "These neighbors stole my property, they have it. They have it, all my belongings."

When Eyewitness News Investigative Reporter Kevin Ozebek asked her if that is all worth $98 million, Ortiz answered with this:

"Over 20 years, Kevin, almost 20 years. You understand? It's 20 years working."

The neighbors on Benedict Canyon Drive who have been hit with the liens dispute that and told 7 On Your Side they don't have any of Ortiz's property.



Beverly Hills Police confirmed to ABC7 on Wednesday that they still have an open and active investigation into some of the liens Ortiz has filed.

The LAPD previously told Eyewitness news they are investigating the liens as well.

"That's not true," Ortiz replied when we asked her if she is worried about the investigations. "In Beverly Hills, the community in Beverly Hills is not like that."

Since our first story aired, deputies have evicted Ortiz from the Los Angeles home she was residing in.

She also showed us a log of what she claims are hateful calls she's received and says someone keyed an expletive into her brother's car.



While Ortiz isn't accusing the Benedict Canyon homeowners of scratching the car, she does accuse them of hassling her.

"I need President Trump help me because now these people continue (to) harass me," Ortiz said.

While Ortiz pleas for the President's help, the homeowners of Benedict Canyon with the liens say they are not harassing Ortiz.

Ortiz also alleges the homeowners are discriminating against her.

That is an allegation they strongly refute as well.
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