realestate

Virginia Man's Real Estate Company Embroiled in $455K Scam, Authorities Claim

Miramar man booked into Broward County Jail on US Marshals Service charges in six-figure wire fraud case.

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65-year-old Miramar man, Tommie Lee Nelson, is facing a six-figure wire fraud case after being booked into the Broward County Main Jail on behalf of the U.S. Marshals Service. Authorities claim that Nelson's state-registered company, Hugh Johnson Enterprises, was used to steal $455,000 from a co-operative trying to purchase a farm and manufacturing building in Danville, Virginia.

    According to a grand jury indictment, Nelson presented himself as a "hard money lender and potential business partner" who would loan the co-op funds for the purchase. He falsely claimed he would negotiate with the seller and even traveled to Virginia to view the building with the buyer. However, prosecutors say Nelson used the payments from the victim for personal expenses, such as gambling and paying associates.

    Nelson allegedly lied about holding the funds in escrow and provided a fake loan pre-qualification certificate to the victim. He continued to delay the transaction, citing excuses like renegotiating the sale price. The indictment states that Nelson never intended to buy the building and strung the victim along with false promises.

    If convicted, Nelson faces up to 20 years in federal prison. The case is being prosecuted in Lynchburg, Virginia federal court, where Nelson remains a defendant as of Monday.

Virginia man's real estate company involved in $455,000 scam investigation.