Tax Lien Tycoon Hanratty Convicted of $20M Fraud

New York’s John Arthur Hanratty, the mastermind behind Ebury Street Capital, has been found guilty of orchestrating a $20 million fraud against investors and an FDIC-insured bank. The 50-year-old attorney, who had leveraged his legal background to build a multi-million-dollar tax lien investment firm, was exposed when he falsely claimed ownership of millions in tax liens to obtain over $20 million in loan advances.

Hanratty’s scheme involved inflating the value of tax lien collateral by millions and lying about the management of these assets. This led to significant losses for both Ebury Street Capital investors and the bank, which was defrauded out of over $20 million. The defendant faces a maximum sentence of 60 years in prison if convicted on all counts.

The trial, which lasted two weeks, saw U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield preside over a jury that returned a guilty verdict. Hanratty is scheduled to be sentenced on January 20, 2026. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Chan, Nicholas Chiuchiolo, Danielle Kudla, and Adam Sowlati led the prosecution, with support from Paralegal Specialist Alexander Ross.

Hanratty’s conviction underscores the U.S. Attorney’s Office commitment to protecting investors and lenders from financial fraud. The FBI played a crucial role in the investigation, which was handled by the Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit.

John Arthur Hanratty’s fall from grace serves as a stark reminder of the consequences faced by those who seek to profit at the expense of others through fraudulent means.