Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
A psychologist from Newton, Massachusetts, has agreed to plead guilty to charges of wire fraud and money laundering after allegedly defrauding two individuals, including a psychotherapy patient and a relative.
Eric Brown, 76, is accused of two counts of wire fraud and one count of engaging in an unlawful money transaction. A plea hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
According to court documents, Brown was acting as the psychotherapist for a Massachusetts victim who had been injured by a drunk driver. In February 2022, the victim reportedly asked Brown to serve as trustee for a trust containing approximately $700,000 from the victim’s accident settlement. As trustee, Brown held exclusive control over these funds with the responsibility to use them for the victim’s health and support. However, authorities allege that Brown became involved in an online investment scam orchestrated by someone pretending to be in an online relationship with him. Following instructions from this individual, Brown is said to have depleted the trust without informing the victim and invested $600,000 of those funds overseas.
In a separate incident, Brown allegedly misled a family member into lending him $310,000 under false pretenses. He claimed he needed the money for improvements on his commercial office building but did not disclose his involvement in the online relationship or his plans for overseas investment.
Wire fraud carries potential penalties of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and fines up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. Money laundering can result in up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and fines up to $500,000 or twice the value involved in the transaction. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division announced these charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth B. Kosto is prosecuting the case.
"The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."
