Acting United States Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr.
Western District of New York
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Barbara Burns
FEBRUARY 7, 2017 PHONE: (716) 843-5817
www.usdoj.gov/usao/nywFAX #: (716) 551-3051
WILLIAMSVILLE MAN CHARGED IN WIRE FRAUD SCHEME
BUFFALO, N.Y.- Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Robert C. Logel, 53, of Williamsville, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with wire fraud. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney MaryEllen Kresse, who is handling the case, stated that in 2009, the defendant was convicted of wire fraud for defrauding two victims out of nearly $3,000,000 and sentenced to 48 months in prison. Logel told the victims that he invested their money in various businesses when he fact he used the funds for his own use.
According to the complaint, within months of being released from prison, Logel began to devise his next scheme. The scheme involved the alleged production, distribution, and sale of two skin and healthcare products: Nano Hydro Mist and Hot Ginger Muscle Rub. During the course of the scheme, the defendant made false representations regarding his ability to distribute and market these products. As a result, victims transferred funds to Logel which they believed would be used to ready the products for distribution and sale. The defendant did not, however, use the victims' money as promised. Rather, Logel used the vast majority of the funds for his personal use, including to pay personal expenses.
Logel appeared at a detention hearing this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was released on conditions.
The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Adam S. Cohen, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Kathy A. Enstrom.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Barbara Burns
Public Affairs Officer
United States Attorney's Office
Western District of New York
138 Delaware Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 843-5817 (office phone)
(716) 225-3416 (cell number)
(716) 551-3051 (fax number)