In a recent turn of events, Michael E. Conner, a 56-year-old man from Lake George, New York, has been convicted on multiple counts of fraud and failing to file tax returns. As reported by the U.S. Department of Justice, a federal jury found Conner guilty of 22 counts of wire fraud and two counts of tax-related misdemeanors.
The trial that lasted for eight days concluded yesterday with the conviction, with evidence showing Conner defrauded investors over $6 million since 2008. Convincing people he was a successful businessman and inventor, Conner solicited funds under false pretenses, claiming the money would go towards marketing and selling his patents or paying off various fees. Instead, the inventor funneled these funds into his personal exuberance, enjoying luxuries like expensive wines and concert tickets, while never actually bringing any of his inventions to market.
United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Harry Chavis, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the IRS-CI New York Field Office, announced the verdict, which painted Conner as a man living a lie. Per trial evidence, in 2020 and 2021, Conner walked the tightrope of deceit, taking loans of over $136,000 and $257,000, respectively, in Warren County. Despite his façade of success, the man had no job and no savings, and treated the loans as income, never intending to file the tax returns that were due. Victims from Virginia, North Carolina, and Warren County thought they were investing in a real business. Instead, their money went toward funding Conner’s luxury lifestyle, as detailed by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Despite the convictions, the jury acquitted Conner of one count of wire fraud and two counts of failing to file taxes for 2018 and 2019. As it stands, the convicted fraudster could be staring at up to 20 years in prison for each wire fraud count, along with substantial fines, and is looking at additional punishment for the misdemeanor tax convictions when he is sentenced on August 14. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Barnett and Mikayla Espinosa led the prosecution in the case against Conner.
