Christopher Shawn Linton, Securities Fraud, Alabama 2023

BIRMINGHAM – A federal judge has sentenced a former Birmingham attorney to prison for bilking investors of $2.8 million in a securities fraud scheme.

U.S. District Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins sentenced CHRISTOPHER SHAWN LINTON, 35, of Alabaster, on one count each of wire fraud, mail fraud, securities fraud and money laundering as part of his investment fraud scheme. She also sentenced him on one bank fraud count for submitting a fraudulent commercial loan application to Iberia Bank for a $908,650 loan.

Linton pleaded guilty to the charges in February and is required to pay $2.5 million in restitution to the investors he defrauded. He is also required to pay Iberia Bank $19,850 in restitution. The sentence was handed down on Thursday, March 16, 2023.

The scheme involved Linton taking more than $2.8 million from 12 investors and spending it on a lavish home, private jets, championship football trips and island vacations. Linton used fraudulently obtained investor funds to pay the down payment on the commercial loan, but then defaulted on the loan by writing a $78,960 bad check at closing for his remaining equity on the loan.

Linton must report to prison on September 22. The victims in this case trusted that Linton, an attorney, would protect their investments. Instead, he robbed them of their savings so he could live a fantasy life of luxury, U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance said.

The sentence handed down today recognizes Linton’s deplorable conduct, said FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard D. Schwein Jr. Linton risked his clients’ retirement funds, money for their children’s education, and for their livelihood. His actions are a dishonor to those who practice law with the utmost commitment and integrity.

Linton’s frivolous spending and reckless disregard for the investors’ funds will have a lasting financial and emotional impact on the investors and their families for decades, the government said in its sentencing memorandum. The memorandum notes that Linton used the house as collateral on business and personal loans, which take priority over any judgment. As a result, the house cannot be used to compensate Linton’s victims.

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