By Mike Chen
Copyright hoodline
In a recent announcement, a Newton psychologist, Eric Brown, has consented to plead guilty to charges of fraud and money laundering. The Department of Justice has charged Brown, aged 76, with two counts of wire fraud and one count of engaging in an unlawful money transaction, as detailed in court documents. A date for the plea hearing is yet to be confirmed.
Caught in the web of deceit, Brown allegedly betrayed two individuals who had placed their trust in him – a psychotherapy patient and a family member of his own. Serving as a trustee of a victim’s $700,000 settlement trust, supposed to use for health and maintenance, Brown was allegedly hoodwinked by an online investment confidence scam, funneling $600,000 into an overseas investment without disclosure to the victim. Deluding a relative, the psychologist is accused of borrowing $310,000 by presenting the purpose as financing for improvements on his commercial property. The intention, in truth, to invest overseas, was shrouded in lies.
Facing the possibility of harsh penalties, the charges against Brown for wire fraud could entail up to 20 years in prison and significant fines, while money laundering could lead to a maximum of 10 years imprisonment and more monetary penalties. With sentences determined by a federal district court judge, and according to the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes, the weight of justice looms over Brown’s fate. The announcement of the charges made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley, and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division was on the precipice of triggering a process that shadows a man’s decades of professional life with the stain of criminality.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth B. Kosto, leading the prosecution for the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit, asserts the gravity of the situation with the allegations laid bare. While the allegations contained in the charging documents bear the burden of proof that is yet to be satisfied in a court of law, Brown remains innocent until proven guilty.
