We've all had the fantasy - if only briefly - escape your current life and start over. Well, one Georgia banker went for it. Prosecutors say Aubrey Lee Price, a self-described evangelical businessman faked his own death and left a trail of victims - stealing millions in the process. Not the first person to try this, but now, the jig is up.
Price, who shuffled out of court with shackles and shaggy hair is a far cry from the slick businessman who was riding high a few years ago until he faked his own suicide and vanished.
Why did Price orchestrate such an elaborate hoax? Federal investigators say he had 40 million reasons.
"He's a thief and he's a liar," said Wendy Cross. Cross was one of 115 investors who lost a combined $40 million dollars to Price.
Justin Zegalia, a former business associate says he had no idea Price was losing money in the market and stealing from a bank he took over after infusing it with investor funds. In 2012 the Montgomery Bank & Trust was closed and the money was gone.
"Not just my money, but my dreams, and my future and my freedom - gone," said Cross who lost $300,000 dollars.
One month after writing a bizarre suicide note, Price was seen on a surveillance tape at an airport in Key West, Florida.
A judge declared Price dead, but the FBI didn't buy it - and they issued a $20,000 dollar reward.
A judge declared Price dead, but the FBI didn't buy it - and they issued a $20,000 dollar reward.
"He was planning this exit for a very long time," Cross said, "and he's a very smart, smart individual- it's too bad it was used for such evil."
After 18 months of successfully dodging authorities, he was busted in a routine traffic stop on I-95 in Georgia. The reason? The tinted windows on his vehicle were too dark.
"You become comfortable and you become a little secure in your new identity, and you fail to perceive these types of dangers," said Nick Casale, a former NYPD detective."This officer was smart enough to run him, and then determined he was wanted - and apprehended him."
As for Wendy Cross who lost all the money she had been saving since age 22 - she says this is a great way to start the new year.
If Price is convicted, he could serve 30 years behind bars.
Advertisement
You have just read the article News for today's that category by title Bank President Who Faked Death Charged With Fraud (BLOG). You can bookmark this page with a URL https://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2014/01/bank-president-who-faked-death-charged.html. Thank you!
Posted by: Anonymous
Bank President Who Faked Death Charged With Fraud (BLOG) Updated at :
1:00 PM
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Post a Comment