Leschyshyn Sentenced for $23M Fraud Scheme

HOUSTON – Alan Leschyshyn, 53, of Cave Creek, Arizona, has become the first defendant to be sentenced in a massive $23 million fraud scheme. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas announced that Leschyshyn was ordered to serve 235 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release, accompanied by a restitution order of $6,477,451.85.

Leschyshyn and four co-defendants were convicted of conspiring to engage in a scheme to defraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He was also found guilty of eight additional counts of wire fraud. His sentencing comes after the conviction of Stefano Guido Vitale, 40, from Scottsdale, Arizona; Bree Ann Davis, 40, from Lakewood, Colorado; Tammie Roth Hanania, 59, and Edward Peter Hanania, 64, both from Folsom, California.

Leschyshyn’s scheme involved the production of approximately $6.4 million in fraudulently obtained proceeds. The defendants used various business entities to sell non-existent commercial accounts receivable to factoring companies by presenting fabricated invoices and false documents. They also defrauded Bank of Oklahoma, NA, doing business as Bank of Arizona, when they secured a $1 million line of credit.

“Leschyshyn’s jail time is a stark reminder that sophisticated frauds will be uncovered by IRS-CI agents,” said Special Agent in Charge Rick Goss. “No matter how convincing the false documents are, we will pursue those responsible.”

The Hanania couple and Davis are scheduled for sentencing later this month, while Vitale’s sentencing is set for January 2017.

U.S. District Judge Vanessa Gilmore oversaw Leschyshyn’s sentencing, and he was ordered into custody following the hearing. The investigation was conducted by IRS-CI, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Annis prosecuting the case.