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enter City real‑estate broker Jonathan Barach, 46, pleaded guilty to wire fraud after defrauding investors of over $3 million. Between July 2017 and April 2021, he lured lenders with false promises of short‑term financing for nonexistent renovation projects, knowing the money would instead pay debts, buy jewelry, sports tickets and fund casino gambling. Barach, co‑founder of the Barach Group, also created TBG Real Estate LLC to solicit funds for phantom ventures. Although he repaid some earlier lenders using later loans, he still owes about $1.4 million in stolen funds. The Barach Group, established in 2011, had reportedly handled more than $300 million in transactions before its website was taken down. Barach is due to be sentenced on Feb. 2 and faces up to 30 years in prison.