A Syracuse man has been arrested and charged with making false declarations in a bankruptcy case, bankruptcy fraud, and falsification of bankruptcy records after filing fraudulent bankruptcy petitions across several states. Robert Johnson, 41, allegedly submitted petitions in Michigan, Mississippi, Iowa, Florida, New York, Montana, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia.
According to a criminal complaint announced by Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli of the Albany Field Office, Johnson’s filings falsely accused a law enforcement official of being a commodity broker involved in white collar crimes and wire fraud with alleged debts of $99,999,999. The complaint also states that an Onondaga County State Court Judge was described as both a stockbroker engaged in fraud and a commodity broker involved in similar crimes owing the same amount. Additionally, a Cayuga County Supreme Court Judge was accused of operating Ponzi schemes with identical claimed debts.
The complaint further alleges that Johnson filed a petition in West Virginia targeting a Syracuse-based non-profit organization by alleging environmental hazards, money laundering activities, and Ponzi schemes associated with it. Investigators determined all the petitions were mailed from Syracuse. An FBI investigation found these claims to be false.
Authorities emphasized that the charges are accusations at this stage; Johnson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “Johnson, as alleged, filed bogus petitions in nine states against respected public officials, and a reputable non-profit organization. These false petitions wreak havoc on the victims; it is a form of financial terrorism. As Mr. Johnson’s arrest will attest, we will not stand for this conduct in the Northern District of New York. I want to commend the FBI agents who conducted this investigation and were able to apprehend the defendant in record time.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Tremaroli added: “The impact of Mr. Johnson’s alleged fraud was incredibly damaging to the individuals and the non-profit he targeted. Once our office was notified of the alleged crimes, we investigated and swiftly arrested Johnson, who is now facing federal charges for his reckless schemes. The FBI will continue to aggressively investigate criminals looking to defraud our communities.”
If convicted on all counts, Johnson could face up to 20 years imprisonment along with fines up to $250,000 and three years supervised release following any prison term.
Johnson appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pederson today and was ordered detained pending further proceedings.
The FBI continues its investigation while Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Brown leads prosecution efforts.
