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Former AAU Coach Pleads Guilty To Wire Fraud
Lynchburg, VA – Thomas Patric Boggs, a 60-year-old former AAU coach from Brookneal, Virginia, has pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Lynchburg. The guilty plea was made on Tuesday.
Boggs’ crime involved exploiting the trust placed in him by a local college basketball star, Travis Watson. Boggs met Watson when he was a freshman in high school in Texas and welcomed him into his home during an AAU tournament in Lynchburg. The two became close, with Boggs serving as a mentor, coach, and father figure to Watson.
Watson eventually attended Oak Hill Academy, where he continued to develop his basketball skills. He went on to play basketball at the University of Virginia and professionally in Greece, Italy, Lithuania, and other places in Europe. During his time overseas, Boggs approached Watson with an investment opportunity, claiming he would invest a portion of Watson’s earnings to ensure financial security post-basketball.
Boggs instructed Watson to wire money into two accounts, which Watson expected Boggs to invest for his benefit. Between 2009 and 2011, Watson wired $357,965 to these accounts. However, Boggs admitted to using nearly all of the money to pay his personal expenses and those of his family members.
Boggs assured Watson that he was making sound investments and that Watson would become a ‘millionaire.’ However, the government’s evidence established that Boggs had no intention of investing the money. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation, and Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony Giorno and Laura Rottenborn prosecuted the case.
At sentencing, Boggs faces a maximum possible penalty of up to 20 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000. United States Attorney Timothy J. Heaphy stated that Boggs ‘exploited the trust placed in him by Travis Watson and turned it into a vehicle for fraud.’ Heaphy emphasized that the harm caused by Boggs extends beyond Watson’s financial loss, affecting his trust and well-being.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of trust and due diligence in financial transactions. It also highlights the consequences of exploiting those who trust us. Boggs’ guilty plea is a significant step towards justice, and we hope that Watson and his family can find closure and healing.
The investigation and prosecution of this case demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement and the Department of Justice to protecting the public from financial crimes and ensuring that those who commit such crimes are held accountable.
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: White Collar Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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