If you spent any time on Instagram between 2017 and 2023, you probably saw him. Cesar Pina, better known as Flipping NJ, was everywhere. He was the guy promising that anyone—literally anyone—could get rich in real estate. He had the cars, the jewelry, and most importantly, the co-sign from DJ Envy of The Breakfast Club. But by the time the Cesar Pina lawsuit 2025 reached its peak, that glossy image had completely shattered into a million pieces.
Honestly, the sheer scale of the mess is hard to wrap your head around. We aren't just talking about a few bad business deals here. In July 2025, a federal grand jury in Newark didn't just look at the old wire fraud charges; they hit him with a massive new indictment that read like a crime thriller.
Money laundering for drug traffickers? Check.
Bribing a politician in Paterson? Check.
Running a Ponzi scheme that swindled dozens of people out of millions? That was just the baseline.
The Indictment That Changed Everything in 2025
The legal heat for Pina didn't just stay at "real estate guy who messed up." It got dark. While the original 2023 arrest focused on wire fraud, the Cesar Pina lawsuit 2025 updates revealed a much deeper rot. U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced a six-count indictment that included conspiracy to launder drug proceeds.
Think about that.
Federal agents allege that Pina wasn't just using investor money to buy Gucci suits; he was allegedly helping narcotics traffickers clean their cash. There was even a sting operation where undercover agents posed as drug dealers, and Pina reportedly agreed to launder what he thought was drug money.
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Then there’s the bribery. Prosecutors allege Pina offered cash and other perks to a public official in Paterson, New Jersey. Why? To grease the wheels for zoning approvals on his "Old School 5" redevelopment project. It's the kind of old-school corruption that usually happens in movies, but here it was, laid out in federal court documents.
How the "Ponzi-Like" Scheme Worked
At its core, the business model was deceptively simple. Pina and his partner, celebrity DJ Envy, hosted seminars across the country. They’d charge $200 for a seat or $2,500 for a private "consultation." People trusted Envy, so they trusted Pina.
Pina would tell investors their money was going toward specific properties—let’s call them Property-1 or Property-2. He promised returns of 20% to 30% in just five months. Most people would see that and think it's too good to be true. But because he was on the radio every week, people bit.
The reality? Pina often didn't even own the properties. Or, even worse, he’d sell the "investment opportunity" for the same house to ten different people. He’d take the money from Investor C to pay back Investor A, while Investor B was left wondering why their phone calls weren't being returned.
According to the 2025 court filings, he collected over $5 million for just one property on Totowa Avenue in Paterson. The house eventually sold for about $550,000. Do the math. There was no way to pay everyone back.
Where Does DJ Envy Fit In?
This is the question everyone keeps asking. You've probably seen the clips of Envy defending himself, claiming he’s a victim too and that he lost $500,000 of his own money.
Legally, as of early 2026, DJ Envy (Raashaun Casey) hasn't been charged with a crime. However, he is a massive part of the civil side of the Cesar Pina lawsuit 2025. Dozens of victims have named him in lawsuits, arguing that they only gave Pina money because Envy "stamped" him.
The lawyers for the victims, like Alexander Schachtel, argue that Envy acted as a "funnel" for the scam. Even if Envy didn't know it was a Ponzi scheme, the civil courts are looking at whether he’s liable for the "Consumer Fraud Act" violations.
The Wife’s Involvement and the "Destroyed Phone"
If you think the story couldn't get more dramatic, look at Jennifer Iturralde Pina. In July 2025, she was also indicted. The charge? Destruction of records.
Federal agents say that when they showed up at her Franklin Lakes home with a warrant to seize her phone, she literally destroyed and hid the device while they were knocking on the door. It’s a move that carries a potential 20-year sentence on its own. It's kinda crazy to think how much effort went into covering the tracks as the walls closed in.
What This Means for Real Estate Investors Now
The fallout from the Cesar Pina lawsuit 2025 has been a massive wake-up call for the "social media investor" era. If you're looking at this and wondering how to avoid the next "Flipping NJ," there are some pretty clear takeaways.
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- Public Records are Your Friend: Pina often claimed to own houses he didn't. You can check property titles yourself at the county clerk's office. If the name on the contract doesn't match the deed, run.
- The "Co-sign" Trap: Just because a celebrity, a DJ, or an influencer says someone is legit doesn't mean they've done their due diligence. Celebrity endorsements are marketing, not a financial audit.
- Guaranteed Returns are a Red Flag: Real estate is volatile. Anyone promising a "guaranteed" 30% return in five months is likely lying or running a high-risk gamble with your money.
As we move through 2026, the federal trial for Cesar Pina is the one to watch. With wire fraud, money laundering, and bribery on the table, the "Flipping NJ" empire hasn't just fallen—it's been completely dismantled by the DOJ.
Next Steps for Impacted Investors
If you were involved in any deals with From Start 2 Flipping or Cesar Pina, you should immediately contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey. They have a victim notification system that keeps you in the loop on asset seizures and potential restitution. Also, consult with a private attorney to see if you can join the ongoing civil litigation to recover losses, though with the feds involved, the line for money is going to be very long.
Keep an eye on the Newark federal court docket for the trial date, as that will be the final chapter in the Cesar Pina saga.