KONRAD BICHER, Wire Fraud, New York 2023

KONRAD BICHER, self-proclaimed 'Wolf of Airbnb,' was sentenced to 51 months in prison for his role in a PPP and real estate fraud scheme in New York.

According to the U.S. Attorney's office, BICHER, 51 months, failed to make payments on lease agreements for residential apartment units in Manhattan, instead renting the units on a short-term basis through online marketplaces, including Airbnb.

BICHER's scheme resulted in over $1,170,000 in rental income, while he and his associates failed to make more than $1,000,000 in payments pursuant to the lease agreements.

Throughout the scheme, BICHER relied on legal protections intended to benefit tenants, including tenant protections adopted in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, to oppose lawsuits from the lessors of the units.

In addition to his prison sentence, BICHER was also involved in obtaining over $565,000 in Government-guaranteed loans through the Paycheck Protection Program during the COVID-19 pandemic.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams stated, 'For years, Bicher schemed to defraud New York City landlords and the U.S. Government. Bicher enriched himself by abusing Government programs and tenant protections intended to benefit people and businesses in need during one of the worst economic and public health crises in history.'

BICHER previously pled guilty to one count of wire fraud in connection with the scheme. He was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield.

Defendant: KONRAD BICHER, Wire Fraud, New York, 02/23/2023 - 51 months in prison.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/self-proclaimed-wolf-airbnb-sentenced-51-months-prison-connection-ppp-and-real-0