Florida Resident Pleads Guilty to Mail and Wire Fraud Charges

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Hudson, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal fraud laws, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Paul Andrew Gulbronson, 59, pleaded guilty to Count One of the Indictment before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, from in and around May 2017 to in and around June 2019, Gulbronson conspired to commit mail and wire fraud. Gulbronson operated Citrona Homes LLC, which had offices located in Holliday, Florida, and in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and solicited investments. The purported business plan of Citrona Homes LLC, as represented to some of the investors, was to purchase low value, distressed, or vacant properties; renovate the properties, ensuring that they complied with applicable building code; rent the properties, and sell the properties to investors at or under market value. Investors were told that Citrona Homes LLC would manage the properties, provide no-cost maintenance and repairs for the first two years, and pay the utilities for a small monthly fee, thus generating a stream of guaranteed passive income for the investors. In reality, Gulbronson used Citrona Homes LLC as a mechanism for enriching himself by defrauding investors into purchasing unrenovated properties at prices far above the fair market value of the properties through a series of false pretenses, representations, and promises.

Judge Haines scheduled sentencing for September 9, 2025. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorneys Maureen Sheehan-Balchon and Brendan T. Conway are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Gulbronson.