BOSTON – A brazen wire fraud scheme has landed a Florida man in hot water. Brian Halpern, 48, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering in federal court in Boston yesterday.
The scheme, which spanned over two decades, targeted a Massachusetts-based uniform supplier. Halpern and his cohorts falsified invoices for products that were never delivered, and then re-sold the diverted goods for their own gain. The ploy netted them a tidy sum, but ultimately led to Halpern’s downfall.
According to court documents, the scheme began in 1998 and continued until 2019. Halpern and his co-conspirators bilked the supplier out of a significant amount of money, all while evading detection.
Halpern’s plea agreement carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. He also faces restitution and forfeiture.
The charge of money laundering also carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, whichever is greater.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sara M. Bloom and Ian J. Sterns of Mendell’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case.
Halpern’s sentencing is scheduled for December 16, 2021. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of white-collar crime. The Grimy Times will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.
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Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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