Case Number: 6:17-cr-00237-MC

Judge: Michael J. McShane

Court: United States District Court for the District of Oregon (Lane County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney’s Office

Defendant's Attorney: Rosalind Lee

Description: Eugene, Oregon criminal defense lawyer represented defendant charged with wire fraud.

Thomas Gerard Mautone, 43, formerly of Newark, New Jersey, was one of five individuals who together perpetrated a monthslong scheme to convince an elderly man to invest $1 million in a fraudulent high-yield international investment scheme. In July 2015, one of Mautone’s co-defendants, Jared Mack, 46, of Utah, made initial contact with the victim, by email, to pitch an investment opportunity claiming to produce weekly returns of 20%. Once the victim expressed interest in the purported investment opportunity, Mack introduced him to Mautone, the supposed connection to investment “platform partner,” and later codefendant, Olabode Olukanni, 39, of New York.

For several months, Mautone and his co-defendants maintained frequent contact with the victim and repeatedly attempted to assure him, via a series of increasingly intimidating and pressure-laden communications, of the investment opportunity’s legitimacy, low risk, and promised returns. These false representations were made despite Mautone knowing that others had their money stolen by his supposed Hong Kong investment partner, “YangXin Deng.”

In December 2015, the victim wired $1 million to a bank account in Dubai, which was controlled by codefendant Rovshan Bahader Oglu Qasimov, 38, of Azerbaijan. Qasimov immediately withdrew the money and used it to purchase gold from a jewelry store in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The victim never saw his money again, nor did he receive the promised investment returns.

Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years’ supervised release. Mautone will be sentenced on September 8, 2022 by U.S. District Court Judge Michael J. McShane.

Mack, Olukanni, and Qasimov have all pleaded guilty and been sentenced for their roles in the scheme.

U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug of the District of Oregon made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gavin W. Bruce and William M. McLaren prosecuted the case.

18:1343 - Wire Fraud
(1-7s)

Outcome: 05/13/2022 252 Minutes of Proceedings: Jury Trial day 5 before Judge Michael J. McShane as to Defendant Thomas Gerard Mautone. Jury deliberations began at 9:00AM. Jury Notes B and C Received. Jury Notes B and C discussed with the parties on the record. Answer written on Jury Notes B and C. Jury deliberations concluded at 11:45AM. Jury finding of Guilty on counts 3, 4, 5, and 7. Jury did not return a verdict on counts 1 and 2. See verdict form. The parties waive polling of the jury. Jury Discharged. Trial concluded 5/13/2022. Sentencing is set for 9/8/2022 at 10:00AM in Eugene Courtroom 2 before Judge Michael J. McShane. Counsel Present for Plaintiff: Gavin Bruce; William McLaren. Counsel Present for Defendant: Rosalind Lee. (Court Reporter Kendra Steppler) (jk) (Entered: 05/13/2022)
05/13/2022 253 Jury Instructions as to Thomas Gerard Mautone. (jk) (Entered: 05/13/2022)
05/13/2022 254 Clerk's List of Witnesses and Exhibits as to Thomas Gerard Mautone. (jk) (Entered: 05/13/2022)
05/13/2022 255 Jury Notes as to Thomas Gerard Mautone. (jk) (Entered: 05/13/2022)
05/13/2022 256 Jury Notes Unredacted Version Filed Under Seal as to Thomas Gerard Mautone. (jk) (Entered: 05/13/2022)
05/13/2022 257 Jury Verdict as to Thomas Gerard Mautone (2) regarding Guilty on counts 3s-5s,and 7s. (jk) (Entered: 05/13/2022)
05/13/2022 258 Jury Verdict Unredacted Version Filed Under Seal as to Thomas Gerard Mautone. (jk) (Entered: 05/13/2022)

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