In a notable case of betrayal and grand theft, David Howard Syner of Whittier has been sentenced to prison after being convicted of pilfering over a million dollars from a doctor in Thousand Oaks. According to the Ventura County District Attorney, Erik Nasarenko, Syner, who once posed as a trusted money manager, will now serve a term of 7 years and 8 months. Moreover, he has been ordered to pay back a substantial $987,250 plus interest to the victimized psychiatrist.
The case unfolded after the psychiatrist noticed financial discrepancies and opted to hire a CPA to unravel the precise number of missing funds. A Ventura County District Attorney's Office investigation later confirmed the theft, with their Bureau of Investigation managing to fully track the stolen money. Syner's schemes, which spanned from 2014 to 2018, funded a lavish lifestyle for himself and his fiancée, including splurges on first-class travel and cosmetic surgery. These findings led to Syner's guilty plea on June 22, 2023, where he admitted to 13 counts of grand theft and acknowledged stealing amounts in excess of $500,000. The painstaking six-week restitution hearing concluded in January 2024, finally determining the extent of Syner's misconduct.
An array of aggravating factors contributed to the severity of Syner's sentence. As stated by the District Attorney's Office, Syner exploited his position of trust and confidence to commit the offense, carried out his crimes with a worrying level of planning and sophistication, and caused financial damages of significant magnitude.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Howard Wise, who prosecuted the case and is a member of the District Attorney's Fraud and Technology Crimes Unit, emphasized the importance of oversight in financial dealings. "No matter how smart you are, you can become a victim when you trust but don't verify," Mr. Wise said in a clear warning to others who might too readily hand over control of their financial affairs. By sharing this cautionary tale, Wise hopes to prevent others from falling prey to deceitful acts like those committed by Syner.
Justice has been served in this flagrant case of theft and deception, but it stands as a stark reminder for individuals to exercise due diligence with their finances, especially when granting someone else access to their personal accounts.
