Steven William Carpenter, Suzette Gulyas Gal, Andras Zoltan Gal, Investment Fraud and Wire Fraud, Montana 2013

Great Falls, Montana - In a case that highlights the ruthless tactics of scammers who prey on the elderly and vulnerable, a federal court in Montana has handed down significant prison sentences to three individuals convicted of investment fraud and wire fraud.

On August 26, 2013, U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon sentenced Steven William Carpenter, 56, Suzette Gulyas Gal, 55, and Andras Zoltan Gal, 22, to prison terms ranging from 72 to 188 months for their roles in a massive investment scam that bilked victims out of over half a million dollars.

The scammers, who worked together to solicit funds from investors, promised them lucrative returns on investments in oil and gas ventures on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. However, the defendants never made any legitimate payments to establish or further an oil or gas venture on the reservation, and the rights to the leases were terminated in 2007 for failure to make the required lease payments.

Despite this, the defendants continued to bilk investors, enjoying a life of luxury and extravagance while their victims suffered financial losses. The victims, many of whom were elderly and struggling to make ends meet, were persuaded to invest in the scam by the defendants' false promises and deceitful tactics.

The investigation, which involved hundreds of man-hours of undercover operations, surveillance, forensic document examination, and witness interviews, was a near-perfect cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Interior's Office of Inspector General.

The United States Attorney's Office, led by U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter, commended the excellent work done by the trial lawyers and investigators who conducted the investigation and prosecuted the case.

The sentences handed down by Judge Haddon reflect the seriousness of the crimes committed by the defendants. Steven William Carpenter was sentenced to 188 months in prison, with a special assessment of $300 and restitution of $675,406.62. Suzette Gulyas Gal was sentenced to 120 months in prison, with a special assessment of $300 and restitution of $675,406.62. Andras Zoltan Gal was sentenced to 72 months in prison, with a special assessment of $300 and restitution of $675,406.62.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the defendants will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. However, they may have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for good behavior, but this reduction will not exceed 15% of the overall sentence.

The investigation was conducted by a team of agents and auditors working with the U.S. Attorney's Guardians Project, including the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Interior and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/steven-william-carpenter-suzette-gulyas-gal-and-andras-zoltan-gal-sentenced-us-district