In a stunning display of greed, 41-year-old Christopher A. Parris, formerly of Rochester, New York, and currently of Lawrenceville, Georgia, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud related to a Ponzi scheme, as well as to wire fraud involving the fraudulent sale of purported N95 masks during the pandemic.
Parris, who bilked millions of dollars from unsuspecting investors, including companies and the Department of Veterans Affairs, is facing serious charges after his guilty plea. The scheme, which took place between January 2011 and June 2018, involved Parris and his co-defendant Perry Santillo, who formed a business known as Lucian Development in Rochester.
The scheme, which targeted investors across the country, saw Parris and Santillo purchase established investment advisor or broker businesses in order to gain access to new victims. Their web of deceit spread far and wide, with the duo purchasing assets and debts of City Capital Corporation after being advised by Ephren Taylor that their investors’ money had been lost.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented an opportunity for Parris and Santillo to expand their scheme, with the duo selling purported N95 masks to companies and the Department of Veterans Affairs. However, the masks were never delivered, and the duo made millions of dollars from unsuspecting victims.
The Justice Department is committed to prosecuting anyone who would try to profit through this kind of conduct, with Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton stating, “The fraud schemes at issue here, including the purported sales of personal protective equipment that the defendant could not actually provide, are particularly egregious.”
Parris’s guilty plea is a testament to the commitment of law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations, to protecting the American public in times of crisis. The VA Office of Inspector General, led by Inspector General Michael J. Missal, worked tirelessly to uncover the scheme and prevent the government and taxpayers from being defrauded of hundreds of millions of dollars.
Parris is facing serious charges and is expected to be sentenced in the coming months. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in the face of pandemic-related scams and the commitment of law enforcement agencies to protecting the public from such crimes.
Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Category: White Collar Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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