California motel owner turns herself in for allegedly cheating travel Web site

Calif. motel owner suspected of fraud surrenders

VICTORVILLE, Calif. — A California motel owner has turned herself in after authorities say she cheated the travel Web site Orbitz.com out of more than $800,000.

Ashka Patel, who was the subject of a three-month investigation, surrendered to police Tuesday.

Police say Orbitz.com notified them in November that $848,000 had been fraudulently paid to Patel’s business, the Travel Inn Motel in Victorville, from February to November.

Police say they searched the motel and found bank records that showed $700,000 in various accounts. Investigators say some of the money was also funneled through a Days Inn that Patel owns.

Her attorney says Patel is expected to be out of jail Tuesday evening after posting bail, which a judge set at $300,000.

Information from: Daily Press, www.vvdailypress.com