A Maricopa County jury convicted a Phoenix man of defrauding another Valley man out of over $1 million.
Tony A. Hatley, Jr., was found guilty of fraud, theft, and filing a false return on Tuesday, according to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. Prosecutors said he posed as a securities trader and induced the victim to give him money for “annuity investments.”
“This was not just fraud, it was a calculated con. This individual preyed on others’ trust, stole over $1.5 million, and thought they could get away with it,” said Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes. “This verdict is a reminder that if you lie, cheat, and steal from Arizonans, my office will find you and hold you accountable under the law.”
According to the AG’s office, Hatley met the victim in July 2017 and requested permission to borrow his luxury car for a picture shoot. Prosecutors say he gradually acquired the victim’s trust and posed as a securities dealer, claiming to have experience dealing with stocks and currencies.
Prosecutors allege that Hatley instead spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on extravagant personal items for himself and his wife, who is facing separate trials. Some of the things included a Lamborghini Aventador for $290,000 and a huge home in Gilbert for $650,000.
Authorities say he also neglected to record this revenue on his tax forms, resulting in a total return of less than $45,000.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 28.
