Cedar City Property Manager Admits to Defrauding Victims of Over $2.1M

ST. GEORGE, Utah – A Utah property manager pleaded guilty today to wire fraud and bank fraud after admitting he embezzled funds from homeowners associations, property owners, and tenants in Cedar City. He also admitted to fraudulently presenting cashier’s checks to Las Vegas casinos.

Blake Floyd Cozzens, 35, of Cedar City, was charged by Felony Information on March 24, 2025.

According to court documents and admissions made at the change of plea hearing, from January 2020 to January 2025, Cozzens was the property manager for multiple HOAs and property owners in Iron County, Utah. Cozzens admitted to defrauding HOAs, property owners, and tenants by embezzling funds he was responsible for safekeeping and diverting the funds for his own use. He also submitted fraudulent deposits to an online application that helps manage properties. The California corporation that offers the application lost $210,000 due to Cozzens’ fraudulent conduct. As a result of the scheme, Cozzens fraudulently obtained at least $772,966 from HOAs, property managers, tenants, and the California corporation.

In addition, Cozzens admitted to defrauding a bank in Las Vegas. He did so by presenting seven cashier’s checks totaling $1,414,000 to Las Vegas casinos in exchange for markers, i.e., credits to gamble. After gambling, Cozzens then falsely reported to the bank that he had lost the checks, causing the bank to stop payments to the casinos. Cozzens caused the bank to lose $1,395,673.58.

Cozzens has agreed to pay restitution to the fraud victims. If you think you are a victim in this case, information can be found on the U.S. Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Assistance page or from contacting the Victim-Witness Coordinator at USAUT.Victim.Witness@usdoj.gov or (801) 325-1430.

Cozzens is scheduled to be sentenced on June 11, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. before a U.S. District Court Judge in Room 2B of the courthouse located at 206 West Tabernacle Street, St. George, Utah 84470.

Acting United States Attorney Felice John Viti for the District of Utah made the announcement.

The case is being investigated jointly by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Cedar City Police Department, and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorney Stephen P. Dent of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.