A Tulsa man who lied and swindled a venture capitalist and two banks out of about $8.4 million was sentenced June 1 in federal court.
William Brian Mulder, 64, was sentenced to 84 months, according to a Department of Justice news release. Mulder was additionally ordered three years of supervised release after serving his sentence, and is ordered to pay $4.5 million in investor restitution and $3.9 million in restitution to Firstar Bank and BancFirst.
“William Mulder portrayed himself as a successful investor, trusted mentor and friend, but it was a façade,” U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson said, according to the release. “Instead, he was a con artist who defrauded his friends and banks for years in an effort to sustain a lifestyle beyond his means. This seven-year sentence reflects the egregious nature of the defendant’s longstanding criminal deceit. Our federal law enforcement partners are to be commended for exposing Mulder’s elaborate web of lies and ensuring justice for the victims in this case.”
According to the release, Mulder spread falsehoods to his friends about his wealth. He said if they pooled their assets with his, they could grow their funds quicker. Instead of investing his friends' money, Mulder deposited their checks into his personal accounts to use funds to pay off his debt, like credit cards and running a coffee shop business.
“To support his extravagant lifestyle, Mr. Mulder meticulously deceived victims based in our community for years,” FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Gray said, according to the release. “Mulder’s sprawling web of lies and fraud was only untangled through the tenacious effort of FBI agents working in partnership with investigators from the IRS, Treasury Department and FDIC. Mr. Mulder’s sentence should give pause to other con-men seeking to defraud Oklahoma citizens and businesses.”
According to the release, Mulder moved money between approximately 60 accounts, making it difficult for officials to trace fraudulent activity.
“William Mulder used deceit and trickery to defraud trusting friends and investors of their hard-earned money,” Christopher J. Altemus, Jr., special agent in charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Dallas field office said, according to the release. “IRS-CI special agents are committed to using their forensic accounting skills to help unravel complex fraud and money laundering schemes. Today's sentencing demonstrates how federal law enforcement will band together to help put an end to the criminal behavior of those who prey on investors for their own financial gain.”
Mulder pleaded guilty in lieu of a trial Oct. 19, 2021, per the release.
