Aaron T. Luneke, 44, of Columbus, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 13 in federal court in Omaha after being convicted by a federal jury of bank fraud and attempted bank fraud related to loans for building and operating Legacy Express Wash, a car wash in Columbus. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Luneke to 36 months’ imprisonment. After his release from prison, Luneke will serve five years of supervised release and must pay a $10,000 fine.
The jury found that Luneke attempted to defraud Stearns Bank of St. Cloud, Minnesota, by using fraudulent and inflated contractor invoices to increase the valuation of the car wash property while seeking a $3.5 million refinancing loan. Evidence at trial showed that he failed to disclose significant personal debts owed to family members during the loan application process with Stearns Bank. The jury also found that Luneke defrauded Bank of the Valley by submitting fraudulent invoices from contractors as justification for additional construction loan proceeds, resulting in two loans totaling approximately $4,320,000.
At sentencing, Judge Buescher said that Luneke’s abuse of his position as Chief Financial Officer at Bank of the Valley significantly facilitated both the commission and concealment of fraud against the victim bank. The court determined that Luneke used sophisticated means in carrying out the scheme; played an aggravating role by organizing or supervising others; obstructed justice through false testimony during trial; and caused substantial financial hardship for a victim.
The case was investigated by multiple agencies: the Federal Bureau of Investigation Omaha Field Office; Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General; Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General; and Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Office of Inspector General.
Assistant United States Attorneys Sean Lynch and Sarah Hinrichs prosecuted the case with assistance from Special Assistant United States Attorney Alejandro A. Abreu.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Nebraska advances community well-being through coordinated law enforcement efforts across Nebraska facilities including those in Omaha and Lincoln as part of its role within the U.S. Department of Justice; it prosecutes federal crimes such as this case while collaborating with law enforcement agencies statewide to enhance public safety, according to the official website.