Dover Man Accused of Defrauding Elderly Victim of Over $1 Million

A Dover resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of wire fraud and unlawful monetary transactions, stemming from an alleged scheme to defraud an elderly victim of more than $1 million. According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, William D. Brenner, 62, is accused of orchestrating a fraud that targeted a victim born in 1936.

The indictment details that Brenner allegedly persuaded the elderly victim and her power of attorney, who was also the victim’s daughter, to transfer funds into an account managed by Brenner. He purportedly promised a lucrative investment opportunity with fixed interest payments over two years, suggesting the money would be placed in an investment account. Instead, the funds were allegedly used by Brenner for personal purchases, including a commercial property in Kentucky, without the victim’s authorization. This property, located in Caneyville, Kentucky, is now subject to forfeiture allegations.

Further allegations suggest that Brenner created a forged document to appear as if the victim and her power of attorney had authorized the use of funds for the property purchase. This forgery is said to have been created by using authentic signatures obtained from the victim and her daughter on a separate document. Brenner reportedly gained control of the victim’s retirement savings by having the funds moved to an account at a local federal credit union where he served as a board member and held other business accounts. This account was established in August 2021, and by September of the same year, nearly all the funds were allegedly depleted by Brenner for his own and his family’s benefit.

The charges against Brenner include multiple counts of monetary transactions in criminally derived property. In addition to the commercial property in Kentucky, the indictment states that Brenner allegedly purchased a new Dodge Ram pickup truck, a skid steer, and various other tools and motorized equipment using the victim’s funds. The United States Secret Service is leading the investigation into this case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma prosecuting. This case is part of a broader effort by the Department of Justice’s National Fraud Enforcement Division, established to combat fraud against Americans.

Individuals convicted of wire fraud face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, followed by supervised release, and a fine. Those found guilty of monetary transactions in criminally derived property could receive up to 10 years in prison, supervised release, and a fine. It is important to note that an indictment is an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Pennsylvania

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