Johnstown, Pa. – In a stunning turn of events, Paul Andrew Gulbronson, 59, a former Florida resident, has been sentenced to 78 months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release for his role in a $5 million rental property fraud scheme in Western Pennsylvania.
The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines on September 9, 2025, in federal court. Gulbronson and his co-defendant/wife, Kelly Bonilla, who remains a fugitive residing in Panama, operated Citrona Homes, which they used as a housing scheme to dupe investors into purchasing homes or properties in Johnstown.
According to information presented to the Court, between 2017 and June 2019, Citrona purchased over 100 distressed properties for approximately $2 million and resold them for nearly $6 million. However, most of the properties were not habitable, and some were vacant lots. Gulbronson’s scheme resulted in investors losing approximately $5 million.
“Gulbronson misled investors about the condition and status of their Citrona Homes properties to swindle millions,” said Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti. “He fled the country upon learning he was under investigation, leaving behind dozens of dilapidated properties.”
Lesley Allison, Inspector in Charge of the Pittsburgh Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service, added that Gulbronson used a series of lies to defraud investors, leading them to believe they had purchased fully renovated rental properties. “Instead, he used their money for personal expenses,” Allison said.
Shawn Rice, Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Inspector General (OIG), emphasized that Gulbronson’s scheme was a $5 million fraud aimed at exploiting HUD-funded programs. “HUD OIG will continue to pursue those who seek to profit by abusing HUD-funded programs,” Rice said.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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