Former hoop star Tate George, who proposed an East End development deal in Bridgeport several years ago, has been convicted on charges of swindling millions of dollars from a bunch of folks including former athletes. News release from New Jersey U.S. Attorney’s Office:
C. Tate George, former NBA basketball player and the CEO of purported real estate development firm The George Group, was convicted today on all counts on which he was indicted in connection with his role in orchestrating a $2 million investment fraud scheme, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
The jury deliberated four hours before convicting George, 45, of Newark, of four counts of wire fraud after a three-week trial before U.S. District Judge Mary L. Cooper. George was immediately remanded into federal custody to await sentencing, which is scheduled for Jan. 16, 2014.
According to documents filed in this case and evidence presented at trial:
George, a former player for the New Jersey Nets and Milwaukee Bucks professional basketball teams, held himself out as the CEO of The George Group and claimed to have more than $500 million in assets under management. He pitched prospective investors, including several former professional athletes, to invest with the firm and told them their money would be used to fund The George Group’s purchase and development of real estate development projects, including projects in Connecticut and New Jersey. George represented to some prospective investors that their funds would be held in an attorney trust account and personally guaranteed the return of their investments, with interest.
Based on George’s representations, investors invested more than $2 million in The George Group between 2005 and 2011, which he deposited in both the firm’s and his personal bank account. Instead of using investments to fund real estate development projects as promised, George used the money from new investors to pay existing investors in Ponzi-scheme fashion, as well as paying for his daughter’s Sweet 16, extensive renovations on his New Jersey home (that has since been foreclosed), the mortgage on a New Jersey home, the mortgage on a Florida home, taxes to the IRS, and traffic tickets. The defendant gave money to family members and friends. He also spent $2,905 for a reality video about himself (a “sizzle reel” for “The Tate Show,” is available on YouTube). The George Group had virtually no income-generating operations.
Each of the wire fraud counts on which he was convicted is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford; postal inspectors of the USPIS, under the direction of Postal Inspector in Charge Maria L. Kelokates; and criminal investigators with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, with the investigation leading to today’s conviction.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph B. Shumofsky and Zach Intrater of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.
*** Maybe if that shot were for Rutgers in Jersey, he would be able to get some time off for good behavior towards the end of his sentence, no? Also, he can always play for the Feds Joint B-ball team as well. *** SAD STORY ***
Now wait a minute, Tate George had a plan for the East End of Bridgeport and he is found guilty but no one from Bridgeport or Connecticut is involved in any way? Now, that’s the real story.