Man pleads guilty in Ypsilanti Township real estate fraud case; will likely avoid jail time
Robert George, right, confers with his attorney during a court hearing.
Robert Paul George, 63, of Royal Oak, the developer of Crystal Pond Condominiums, is scheduled to be sentenced next month, but has reached an agreement with Washtenaw County Circuit Judge Donald Shelton that will spare him any jail time provided he pays restitution.
On Monday, George pleaded guilty to nine counts of fraudulent use of building contract funds, two counts of larceny by conversion of more than $1,000 but less than $20,000 and one count of larceny by false pretenses of more than $999 but less than $20,000. He also pleaded no contest to larceny by conversion of $20,000 or more, court records show.
According to Washtenaw County sheriff's investigators, George accepted deposits and other money from home buyers and kept it for personal use. Only two of the project's 14 units were completed, deputies said.
Under the sentencing agreement, George is expected to be put on probation for five years and will be given an opportunity to pay $873,387 in restitution. He must pay $50,000 of that amount by the time he is sentenced on Jan. 25, prosecutors said.
For the first year of probation, George must pay $4,000 each month in restitution. The monthly payments increase by $1,000 for each year thereafter until the probation is completed, prosecutors said. George must pay the remainder of the money in full by the end of his probation, Washtenaw County Chief Deputy Assistant Prosecutor Steve Hiller said.
The plea comes after a five-year investigation by deputies. At least twelve individuals or couples were victimized in the case, prosecutors said.
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
Greatgrammie
Mon, Dec 13, 2010 : 12:18 p.m.
As one of Robert George's victims I am so glad that we will be getting our money back and hopefully all of it. He really messed up a lot of people's lives financially and emotionally. He did file bankrupcty so none of his contractors or suppliers will be getting their money. I was really kinda hoping he'd be spending a little time with Kwame. I also, wonder where he is going to come up with all the money when he had to have a public defender.
David Briegel
Fri, Dec 10, 2010 : 2:15 p.m.
And Republicans think he is overtaxed!!
Ricebrnr
Fri, Dec 10, 2010 : 12:38 p.m.
So the take away to all these white collar crimes is steal as much as you can. Invest it. When caught, promise to pay it back and you get to use the proceeds to pay for your defense and keep any profits. In the meantime you get a buttload of money at little to no interest for MANY years! Why would anyone want to live honestly, really the criminals get the best benefits...
David Briegel
Fri, Dec 10, 2010 : 11:43 a.m.
Steal a turkey and you will go to jail! Justice? It ain't the money, it's the amount!!
a2lady
Fri, Dec 10, 2010 : 11:01 a.m.
So much for having a cushy retirement on someone else's dime, Robert George! You played the odds and came up short this time. As they say, what goes around comes around.
YpsiLivin
Fri, Dec 10, 2010 : 10:09 a.m.
Are you serious? The article says: George must pay the remainder of the money in full by the end of his probation, Washtenaw County Chief Deputy Assistant Prosecutor Steve Hiller said. He's essentially got a balloon payment at the end of his 5-year probation.
Are you serious?
Fri, Dec 10, 2010 : 9:06 a.m.
Lee Can you explain what seems to be a disconnect between 5 years of probation and the amount owed. My calculations: Before sentencing $50,000 Year 1 - 12 * $4,000 = $48,000 Year 2 - 12 * $5,000 = $60,000 Year 3 - 12 * $6,000 = $72,000 Year 4 - 12 * $7,000 = $84,000 Year 5 - 12 * $8,000 = $96,000 TOTAL at end of probation = $410,000 If he does not pay the remaining $463,387 during the five years, does he stay on probation for another 4 years or what? Inquiring minds want to know. Also, I think the attorney in the picture works for the Public Defender's Office. If that is so how did George qualify for a Public Defender if he is able to produce $50,000 by Jan 25?
Paper or Plastic
Fri, Dec 10, 2010 : 7:23 a.m.
+- 15 years to repay, never happen!!
Tree Logger
Thu, Dec 9, 2010 : 11:43 p.m.
This is why more of us should become white collar criminals. All you need to do is get away with something like this once and you can retire comfortably. Caught? Just give the money back. Why would anyone rob banks these days? Idiots.
Jay Thomas
Thu, Dec 9, 2010 : 9:05 p.m.
Apparently the wise way to rob people is to entice them to give you their money. Guns are for dummies. As long as you promise to pay them back you won't do jail time... :\
AlphaAlpha
Thu, Dec 9, 2010 : 7:56 p.m.
Excellent. Go bankrupt, then reboot.
sailor67
Thu, Dec 9, 2010 : 7:54 p.m.
So Bob George - the darling of Ypsilanti Township residential development in the 90's - is a crook.... What a surprise!! Hey Bob B. and Kevin K. - I warned you guys about him and that "cluster" of a development but you didn't listen. He deserves jail time, but his victims deserve restitution - so (hopefully) everything will end well down there at Chrystal Pond.