United States of America v. Michael Conner

Albany, New York, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.
Michael Conner, age 58, formerly of Lake George, New York, was a self-styled inventor of household goods who owned three patents. Between 2008 and 2023, Conner obtained money from investors under false pretenses. Conner claimed that he needed loans from investors to sell his patents or close on a business deal. In reality, Conner took the money from his victims and spent it on himself, including dinners at fine restaurants, vintage wines, and liaisons with prostitutes.

IRS-CI and HSI investigated Conner and the United States Attorney’s Office charged him in 2024 with 24 counts of wire fraud and 4 counts of tax fraud. Following an 8-day trial in April 2025, the defendant was convicted of 22 counts of wire fraud and 2 counts of tax fraud. The trial lasted an extra day because, as Judge D’Agostino noted at his sentencing, Conner faked a suicide attempt before closing arguments to try to obtain a mistrial. Conner preyed on multiple victims, including one he knew was dying. Even following his conviction, Conner caused an email to be sent to victims asking them to support his release from prison so he could go to a fake meeting supposedly to market his products.Conner was a self-styled inventor of household goods who owned three patents. Between 2008 and 2023, Conner obtained money from investors under false pretenses. Conner claimed that he needed loans from investors to sell his patents or close on a business deal. In reality, Conner took the money from his victims and spent it on himself, including dinners at fine restaurants, vintage wines, and liaisons with prostitutes.

IRS-CI and HSI investigated Conner and the United States Attorney’s Office charged him in 2024 with 24 counts of wire fraud and 4 counts of tax fraud. Following an 8-day trial in April 2025, the defendant was convicted of 22 counts of wire fraud and 2 counts of tax fraud. The trial lasted an extra day because, as Judge D’Agostino noted at his sentencing, Conner faked a suicide attempt before closing arguments to try to obtain a mistrial. Conner preyed on multiple victims, including one he knew was dying. Even following his conviction, Conner caused an email to be sent to victims asking them to support his release from prison so he could go to a fake meeting supposedly to market his products.

The defendant was sentenced on Counts 1-22 of the Indictment to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons to be imprisoned for a term of 120-months and 1-year on each of counts 27-28, All Counts to run concurrently; The Court recommends that the defendant be placed in a facility as close to the Lake George area as possible; 3-years Supervised Release to follow on Counts 1-22 and 1-year on Counts 27-28, counts to run concurrently for a total term of Supervised Release of 3-years, with standard and special conditions; Restitution in the amount of $1,235,346.12 (interest requirement waived); No Fine; Special Assessment of $2,250.00.