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Press Release

Charlotte Man Charged In Connection With Multi-Million Dollar Investment Scheme

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of North Carolina

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – An indictment was unsealed today in federal court charging Wynn A.D. Charlebois, 52, of Charlotte, with wire fraud and money laundering in connection with a multi-million dollar investment fraud scheme, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Charlebois had his initial court appearance this morning after he surrendered to the FBI.

Michael C. Scherck, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Charlotte Division, and Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), which oversees Charlotte, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to allegations contained in the indictment, from 2015 through October 2022, Charlebois used companies he owned and controlled, including WC Private, Wilcox Hybrid, Damon Investments, and others, to perpetrate a multi-million dollar fraudulent investment scheme that caused at least 39 victim investors and entities to lose more than $5.3 million. In furtherance of the scheme, Charlebois recruited victim investors including friends, family members, and social acquaintances, by falsely promising their money would be invested in risk-free investments, subscription agreements, and loans. According to allegations in the indictment, Charlebois fraudulently asserted in the investment agreements presented to victim investors that he and his entities held stock options for particular companies, and that the investors could purchase the options and gain specified profits.

Contrary to Charlebois’s claims, instead of using the investors’ money as promised, Charlebois allegedly used the funds to make Ponzi-style payments to other investors, and on personal expenses including private school tuition, mortgage payments, luxury travel and meals at restaurants.

Charlebois was released on bond following his court appearance. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the wire fraud charge, and 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each of the six money laundering counts, if convicted.

The details contained in this indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The FBI and USPIS investigated the case. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny G. Sugar of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte.

Updated November 18, 2022

Topic
Financial Fraud