Philadelphia, PA — A former attorney and federal agent, John Kelvin Conner, 63, of Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for orchestrating a brazen scheme to steal more than $95,000 from an 85-year-old woman’s life savings — all to fuel his gambling habit at Pennsylvania and New Jersey casinos. Convicted in February 2019 on 19 counts of wire fraud and one count of making a false statement to federal agents, Conner was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Gerald M. McHugh, who also ordered three years of supervised release, forfeiture of $14,923, and restitution of an additional $14,923.
Conner, who once took an oath to uphold the law, exploited a Power of Attorney agreement signed in July 2016 that granted him control over the elderly victim’s finances. At the time, the woman lived at home and relied on caregivers and a fixed monthly pension. Instead of protecting her, Conner liquidated her life annuity, deposited the proceeds into her account, and began systematically draining it. From August 16, 2016, to April 22, 2017, he made at least 176 unauthorized ATM withdrawals at casinos, siphoning a total of $95,688 — leaving her with just $15.07.
As Conner gambled away the victim’s money, her basic needs were ignored. Utilities — heat, hot water, electricity, and phone service — were cut off due to unpaid bills. Checks to her caregivers bounced repeatedly, leaving her vulnerable and underserved. The betrayal was total: a licensed attorney using his position of trust to enrich himself while the woman he was supposed to protect was pushed to the brink of destitution.
When confronted by FBI agents, Conner didn’t come clean. Instead, he offered a ludicrous defense — claiming the victim had authorized him to use her funds for gambling. The story collapsed under scrutiny, exposing a calculated lie. His false statement to federal investigators added a final count to his conviction and underscored the depth of his deception.
“The defendant’s conduct in this case was egregious,” said U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain. “Stealing an elderly woman’s life-savings, gambling it away at casinos, and then lying about it to federal agents — all as an officer of the court, an attorney who took an oath to act in the best interest of his clients and with a high moral standard. This is the very definition of someone with power preying upon the most vulnerable.”
Michael T. Harpster, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division, condemned the cruelty of the crime, stating, “Ripping off an elderly and vulnerable woman, gambling away her money even as her utilities were being shut off — the callousness of John Conner’s crimes is staggering.” The FBI investigation led to justice, Harpster added, urging anyone suffering or witnessing elder abuse to come forward. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark B. Dubnoff prosecuted the case, ensuring accountability for one of the most disgraceful betrayals of trust seen in recent Pennsylvania federal court history.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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