LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – A pair of high-profile influencers are at the center of a multi-million-dollar theft case in Las Vegas.

Bobbi Awad, also known as Bobbi Vargas, stole more than $2.3 million from entrepreneurs Grant and Elena Cardone and spent money on designer clothes, a personal shopper, a housekeeper, extravagant home items, and her business, according to a Las Vegas Metro police arrest report.

Awad appeared in Las Vegas Justice Court Wednesday morning after a warrant was issued for her arrest.

Grant and Elena Cardone are real estate investors, motivational speakers, and vocal supporters of President Donald Trump. Elena Cardone had started a GoFundMe account for Trump for his civil fraud fines in 2024.

Awad is the founder of Bodela, a wellness product company, and she was a speaker at ‘Top Entrepreneurship and Leadership Conference 2023,’ according to her Instagram page. She is married to Joe Vargas, according to her attorney Michael Christalli. Joe Vargas is a self-proclaimed ‘hustler’ and, according to a LinkedIn account, founder and CEO of ‘BuyLegalMeds CBD Dispensary.’

Police identified nearly $450,000 in fraudulent purchases on Amazon with five different credit cards belonging to the Cardones from April 1, 2021, to March 18, 2024, according to the report. Police said Awad purchased a total of 7,400 items, including a brick pizza oven, an 83-inch television, and dual-range gas stove.

Awad funded a PayPal account with four credit cards belonging to the Cardones to fraudulently obtain nearly $2 million, according to the report. Police wrote she “co-mingled legal and illegal funds.”

Awad spent nearly $169,000 on designer merchandise, made 147 payments to her business, Bodela, LLC, totaling nearly $800,000, and paid her employees with the Cardones’ funds, police said.

Police included a list of individuals they said Awad paid, such as the personal shopper, housekeeper, electrician and contractor, along with stores such as Net-A-Porter, Pottery Barn, and eBay.

“This pattern of financial transactions showed Awad used a front company (Bodela LLC) to launder the proceeds of this theft,” police wrote.

A friend, identified as a third victim of theft, told police she previously loaned Awad money and most recently loaned her $100,000, according to the report. She said Awad insisted on paying her back and then gave her a shoe box with what she believed was fake money, police wrote. 

Detectives “contacted propmoney.com and learned Awad purchased a total of $103,000 in various denominations,” the report stated.

The fake money was delivered to Awad’s home three days before she gave it to her friend, police said. 

The investigation began after Elena Cardone said American Express notified her about suspicious transactions and unusual purchase patterns on her credit card in February of 2024, which included 10 Amazon gift cards sent to Bobbi Awad, the report stated. Cardone said Awad was a former friend and she did not give her permission to use the credit cards.

Awad faces 19 felony charges, including six counts of theft greater than $100,000, two counts of theft with a value greater than $25,000 and less than $100,000, four counts of launder or attempt to launder money or property, six counts of obtaining or using another person’s identification causing a loss of more than $3,000, and one count of obtain or possess a credit or debit card without the cardholders consent.

Judge Eric Goodman allowed Awad to walk through jail and remain out of custody on her own recognizance without posting bail money. Goodman also issued a warning.

“The first problem I have with you will be the last problem I have with you,” Goodman told her. “I’ll put you into custody. I’ll keep you in custody.”

Awad’s attorney, Michael Christalli pointed out Awad has no criminal history and did not flee after police searched her home and seized property approximately a year ago.

Christalli said Awad had lived with Grant and Elena Cardone and had authorization to use a credit card. It is unclear when that authorization may have ended.

Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney Colleen Baharav said the allegations span from April of 2021 to February of 2024. 

Baharav had argued for a bail amount of $50,000, plus high-level electronic monitoring and a source hearing, which could demonstrate where bail money would originate from. She pointed out that some of the charges Awad faces carry hefty penalties, such as an eight to 20-year prison sentence.

Christalli told Goodman Awad has a son with autism who needs 24-hour care.

“Isn’t that something to think about before you allegedly steal 2.3 million dollars?” Goodman responded. “Isn’t that a concern before you’re in court in front of me?”

Christalli said Awad was diagnosed with cancer.
There is currently an insurance investigation and claims have been made for assets taken, according to Christalli.
Joe Vargas is not a defendant in the case, Christalli noted.

Awad is scheduled to appear back in court on June 12.