A Massachusetts psychologist is potentially facing decades in prison after allegedly defrauding a patient out of $600,000.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts says Eric Brown, 76, will plead guilty to two counts of wire fraud and one count of engaging in an unlawful money transaction.
Brown provided psychotherapy to a Massachusetts patient who was injured by a drunk driver. In 2022, the psychologist allegedly became a trustee for a trust benefiting his patient, granting him exclusive control over the victim’s money. Prosecutors say Brown had a duty to use the trust, which was earned in a settlement for the drunk driving accident, for the victim’s health, support and maintenance.
However, Brown then allegedly fell for an online investment confidence scam, and a con artist pretending to be in a relationship with the psychologist convinced him to drain $600,000 from the victim’s trust and invest it overseas.
Brown also allegedly lied to a family member, pretending he needed cash to finance improvements on a commercial office building he owned. The psychologist allegedly deceived his relative out of $310,000 and invested the money overseas.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office notes that Brown could face decades in prison and multiple fines for the charges.
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