December 16, 2011

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.-- Matthew Brock, 46, formerly of Lookout Mountain, Tenn., was sentenced on December 15, 2011, to serve the maximum term of 36 months in prison in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Chattanooga, by the Honorable Curtis L. Collier, Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court. Brock admitted that he provided false information to his probation officer regarding his income, expenses, and travel. A former insurance salesman, Brock had previously served a 37 month sentence after being convicted of bank fraud. As part of his sentence Brock was ordered to pay almost $1.4 million in restitution to his victims. After his release from prison, Brock was required to provide information about his income and expenses on a monthly basis so that appropriate payments could be made to satisfy his court-ordered restitution. The United States argued that Brock made these false statements to the probation officer to avoid paying more money back to the victims. Over a four-year period Brock has only paid approximately $25,000 toward his restitution debt.

Chief Judge Collier lectured Brock on his failure to be truthful and forthcoming in making the victims whole. In imposing the maximum sentence, Chief Judge Collier told Brock he would serve as an example to other white collar defendants that restitution was an important part of their sentence and an obligation that had to be taken seriously.

U.S. Attorney Bill Killian praised the sentence and added, “Our Financial Litigation Unit works tirelessly to collect money that is owed to the victims. Their substantial efforts to collect restitution from Mr. Brock was continually frustrated by his efforts to avoid his responsibility. This sentence is a welcome message to all victims that defendants will be forced to pay what they owe, or suffer the consequences.”

Civil Chief Suzanne Bauknight and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregg Sullivan represented the United States.