Man tied to Russian agent conned investors, including past SC governor Sanford, for $2.3M
A South Dakota man linked to an admitted Russian covert agent is accused of obtaining at least $2.3 million from 78 people for bogus investments dating to at least 1997, according to documents unsealed Monday.
Businessman and conservative political operative Paul Erickson, of Sioux Falls, has pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of wire fraud and money laundering. An affidavit that had previously been blocked from public view alleges that he promised returns of up to 150 percent while spending the money on personal expenses such as motels, flights and college tuition for Maria Butina, Erickson’s former girlfriend.
Although some of the accusations go back 20 years, the affidavit said Erickson came to the attention of the FBI in 2016 when a woman selling land in the North Dakota oil patch told authorities that a group of investors had paid Erickson $100,000 for the same land. The investigation led authorities to conclude that Erickson ran fraudulent schemes involving two other primary businesses, the manufacturing of a specialized wheelchair and the construction of retirement homes around the country.
Erickson’s attorney, Clint Sargent, did not immediately return a phone message left Monday by The Associated Press.
Read more: https://www.postandcourier.com/politics/man-tied-to-russian-agent-conned-investors-including-past-sc/article_71010029-bae7-5ea8-8b64-57d7e8d19692.html