Poway Woman Accused of Loan Sharking

A Poway woman was arraigned Wednesday on a 14-count criminal complaint for loan sharking, according to the San Diego City Attorney’s Office.

Lirio Ramos, 56, is accused of extending personal loans to 14 people at interest rates that exceed the 10 percent maximum allowed by law. San Diego City Attorney Jan Goldsmith’s office is looking for other people who may have taken high-interest loans from Ramos and is asking them to call the consumer help line at (619) 533-5600.

While there are exceptions to the 10 percent interest rate cap for businesses like banks and credit card companies, people making personal loans are prohibited from charging more than 10 percent interest per year, according to Goldsmith’s office.

Ramos has pleaded not guilty to 14 misdemeanors, and her next court date is July 11.