Life Insurance Proceeds Were from the Death of Her Son, a United States Marine
Sacramento, Calif.- United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner, FBI Special Agent in Charge Drew S. Parenti, and IRS Special Agent in Charge Scott O”Briant announced that ROBERT BROGAN, 62, of Roseville, pleaded guilty last Wednesday to conspiracy to commit money laundering before United States District Judge Morrison C. England Jr.
This case is the product of an extensive investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service.
According to Assistant United States Attorney R. Steven Lapham, who is prosecuting the case, after learning that the victim was to receive approximately $200,000 in life insurance proceeds as a result of the death of her son, a United States Marine, BROGAN’s nephew RAYMOND BROGAN offered to be financial advisor to the victim and, in that capacity, take control of her money, pay her bills, and invest the rest on her behalf. Shortly after the funeral, RAYMOND fraudulently induced the victim to sign a power of attorney that gave him control of the life insurance proceeds, which were deposited into a bank account in the name of the victim.
BROGAN attended several meetings with RAYMOND BROGAN and the victim as an investment advisor when, in fact, he had little or no investment experience. As a result of these meetings, ROBERT BROGAN knew that the funds were life insurance proceeds and that RAYMOND BROGAN had obtained access to the victim’s assets fraudulently and was actively spending the victim’s assets.
ROBERT BROGAN deposited into his account a $31,900 check drawn upon the victim’s bank account. On January 8, 2008, ROBERT BROGAN wrote a check for $13,539 to Norcal Distributing, Inc. At the time he did this, he was aware this check had been fraudulently obtained by Raymond Brogan from the victim’s checkbook. The memo portion of the check written to Norcal states: ‘Supplies and office equipment.’ In fact, the money was used to purchase a number of items including two LG model 77′ and 45′ flat screen televisions. In all, RAYMOND and ROBERT BROGAN obtained approximately $163,000 for their own benefit.
RAYMOND BROGAN pleaded guilty on April 2, 2009 to devising a scheme to defraud the victim by use of the interstate wires. He was sentenced on October 22, 2009 to 33 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution to the victim in the amount of $190,747.23.
Sentencing for ROBERT BROGAN is scheduled for April 29, 2010. He faces up to 10 years in prison, a three-year term of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory sentencing factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
