Christopher C. Gardner, Wire Fraud, WI 2024

MILWAUKEE, WI – A decades-old burglary and a meticulously crafted scheme have landed a man living in luxury in Switzerland in the crosshairs of federal prosecutors. Christopher C. Gardner, 63, an American citizen residing in Mont-Sur-Rolle, Switzerland, has been indicted on charges of wire fraud and transporting a stolen vehicle across international lines, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced yesterday.

The indictment details a brazen 2001 burglary in Milwaukee, where Gardner allegedly pilfered a 1938 Talbot Lago T150C-SS Teardrop Coupe – a vehicle so rare, only around sixteen were ever manufactured. He held onto the stolen prize for four years, then allegedly began a complex operation to legitimize its ownership. According to prosecutors, Gardner forged documents in October 2005, falsely claiming the car had been recovered and that he had lawful possession.

The fraud didn’t stop there. In 2006, Gardner shipped the stolen auto to Switzerland. Over the next nine years, the vehicle underwent an extensive restoration in France. By 2015, he was ready to cash in, offering the ‘Teardrop’ to a buyer in Illinois. The buyer, relying on Gardner’s fraudulent claims and forged paperwork, took the bait, purchasing the car through an LLC for a staggering $7.6 million – $6.8 million of which was intended for Gardner himself.

The scheme culminated in December 2015, when Gardner allegedly caused the restored, stolen vehicle to be transported from Switzerland to Chicago, Illinois. Federal investigators, working across continents, have now unraveled the scheme. The Milwaukee Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Milwaukee Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the French National Police all contributed to the investigation.

“We commend the FBI and each of the law enforcement agencies whose teamwork and persistence allowed these important charges to be brought,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew D. Krueger. “Only through solid partnerships can crimes that span borders be effectively prosecuted.” FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert E. Hughes echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in cracking the case.

Gardner now faces significant penalties if convicted. Each wire fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, while the transportation charge carries a 10-year maximum. Additionally, each charge carries a potential fine of $250,000, and the government is seeking forfeiture of all proceeds obtained through the alleged criminal activity. Assistant United States Attorney Scott J. Campbell is prosecuting the case. It’s crucial to remember that an indictment is not proof of guilt; Gardner is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.