Bradford Barneys, Conspiracy, Connecticut 2017

Notorious Attorney Bradford Barneys Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy in Connecticut

In a shocking turn of events, Bradford Barneys, a 51-year-old attorney from Odenton, Maryland, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy in a long-running fraud scheme that targeted distressed homeowners throughout Connecticut.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Barneys, who is licensed to practice law in Connecticut and has an office in Bridgeport, conspired with Timothy W. Burke, formerly of Easton, in a scheme to defraud individuals, mortgage lenders, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The scheme, which lasted from approximately 2010 to November 2015, involved Burke falsely representing to homeowners that he would purchase their homes and pay off their mortgages. Instead, Burke would rent out the properties to tenants and use the funds for his own benefit, while failing to pay expenses associated with the home, including the homeowner’s mortgages and property taxes.

Barneys, who participated in dozens of meetings with Burke and with homeowners at his law offices in Bridgeport, knew that Burke had no intention of buying the properties and paying the outstanding mortgages on the properties. Nevertheless, Barneys continued to participate in these meetings and represented that these transactions were legitimate.

Barneys pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Judge Michael P. Shea scheduled sentencing for June 13, 2017. Burke, who pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and one count of tax evasion on January 24, 2017, also awaits sentencing.

The investigation into this case was led by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, with the critical assistance of the Middletown, Plainville, Easton, and Coventry Police Departments, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Barneys’ guilty plea marks a significant victory for the victims of this scheme, who were left financially devastated by Burke’s actions. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of holding accountable those who engage in fraudulent activities, and the need for continued vigilance in protecting the public from such crimes.

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