Hayden O’Byrne United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida | The Florida Bar
A former financier has admitted guilt in a fraud case involving the misappropriation of $8.4 million from an elderly family member. Brett Thomas Graham, aged 61, confessed in the Southern District of Florida to defrauding his relative over several years.
Court documents reveal that Graham began assisting his family member after she became a widow around 2017. In November 2018, he helped her secure a financial advisor based in New York. By February 2019, the family member had sold a townhouse for approximately $9 million. Subsequently, in September 2019, Graham started transferring funds from her accounts into his own checking account for personal use.
In December 2020, Graham took on the role of power of attorney for his family member, which obligated him to act in her best interest. Instead, he continued his fraudulent activities. On one occasion that same month, he requested an additional $250,000 from the financial advisor under the pretense of covering "higher medical & care expenses." The funds were then spent on himself.
Another instance occurred in November 2022 when Graham asked for $400,000 citing "[a]mazing [investment] opps..." as the reason. After obtaining the money, he used over $300,000 on personal expenses such as credit card bills, art purchases, travel, and rent.
Authorities managed to recover about $2 million worth of jewelry and art bought with the fraudulently obtained money.
Graham's sentencing is set for September 16 before Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and Acting Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of the FBI Miami Field Office.
The FBI Miami Field Office conducted the investigation with assistance from the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli S. Rubin is prosecuting this case while Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra Demirci handled asset forfeiture proceedings.
Further details can be accessed via related court documents available on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida or through PACER under case number 25-cr-20103.
