LV man accused in real estate investment case bound for trial

The case against a Las Vegas man accused of swindling older residents in a real estate investment scheme will go to trial.

Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Joe Sciscento so ruled Friday after Jamal Eljwaidi's attorney announced he had yet to pay back more than $300,000 in restitution to victims as part of negotiations with prosecutors.

Attorney Steve Wolfson said his client needed one more week to pay back the money, but prosecutors would not agree to the extension.

As part of the negotiations, Eljwaidi had waived his right to a preliminary hearing in Justice Court so the case would be sent to District Court if he didn't pay up. If he had paid, prosecutors had agreed to drop six counts of elder exploitation.

Eljwaidi, who authorities said also uses the alias Jean Marc, faces the charges based on allegations that he defrauded residents of at least $600,000, including about $400,000 from one Las Vegas resident with diminished mental capacity. Authorities have said they have confirmed at least five victims.

Investigators accuse Eljwaidi of a fraud scheme that offered high-interest payments for investments in his projects, including a shopping center next to his offices at 8820 Russell Road, near the Las Vegas Beltway.