DOJ: Warren County Fraudster Sentenced to 10 Years’ Imprisonment

• Conner was convicted of 22 counts of wire fraud and 2 counts of tax fraud after an 8-day trial.
• He was ordered to pay $1,235,346.12 in restitution to victims, with the judge stating the true amount stolen was higher.

Michael Conner, a self-styled inventor from Lake George, New York, was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment and 3 years’ supervised release for defrauding investors between 2008 and 2023. He was convicted of 22 counts of wire fraud and 2 counts of tax fraud after an 8-day trial in April 2025.

Conner obtained money under false pretenses, claiming he needed loans to sell patents or close business deals, but spent the funds on personal luxuries. He was ordered to pay $1,235,346.12 in restitution, though the judge noted the actual stolen amount was much higher.

• 10 years imprisonment sentence
• 22 counts of wire fraud convicted
• $1,235,346.12 restitution ordered

• Review investor loan requests involving Michael Conner and his patents for fraud typologies.
• Screen for wire fraud and tax fraud patterns matching Conner’s methods from 2008 to 2023.
• Check restitution lists for $1,235,346.12 ordered by Judge D’Agostino to identify affected victims.

This case highlights the importance of thorough due diligence and monitoring of investor loan requests, especially when claims involve patents or business deals. Conner’s fraudulent activities spanned 15 years and targeted vulnerable individuals, demonstrating how persistent and sophisticated fraud can evade detection. Compliance officers must be vigilant for similar typologies and ensure robust controls to prevent, detect, and report wire and tax fraud, as well as to support restitution efforts for victims.