Already facing a bevy of civil fraud lawsuits from unhappy customers, AeroVanti CEO Patrick Britton-Harr has been indicted for criminal wire fraud in Federal District Court for the District of Maryland. The six-count indictment alleges that Britton-Harr misappropriated nearly $15 million from almost 100 “Top Gun” members who paid $150,000 each. These funds were supposed to be used to purchase or lease five Piaggio P.180 turboprop twins, and entitled each member to 100 prepaid flight hours.
However, the U.S. government alleges that, between April and October 2022, Britton-Harr diverted $14,750,000 of AeroVanti’s escrowed member funds to personal bank accounts controlled by himself and/or his wife. According to the indictment, the funds were used in part to purchase $65,000 worth of jewelry; boats worth $80,000, $125,000, and $306,000; and $30,000 for rent at several properties in Florida. Altogether, more than 28 transfers were involved, with several over $1 million each, the indictment claims.
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