A New Jersey couple, Gregory and Danielle Parker, were indicted by a federal grand jury on May 12 for allegedly running a fraudulent real estate investment scheme that targeted investors with promises of high returns from property developments mainly in the Cleveland area.
The indictment alleges that the Parkers operated a Ponzi scheme between January 2017 and December 2023, misleading victims into believing they were investing in properties to be developed into multi-family dwellings. Instead, prosecutors say investor funds were used to pay earlier participants and support the couple’s lifestyle. The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio is responsible for prosecuting federal criminal cases such as this one and protecting residents through outreach and victim services across northern Ohio, according to the official website.
According to court documents, the Parkers hosted seminars across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio—including an event at Cleveland's Hyatt Regency in May 2022—to attract potential investors. Promotional videos on social media showed luxury cars and travel as part of their marketing efforts. Victims typically paid $2,000 to $5,000 to enroll in investment programs with promises that properties would be purchased on their behalf following down payments.
Many victims reportedly received little information about these properties or none at all. Some never received any property; others received condemned or uninhabitable buildings which had to be sold at a loss. The indictment currently identifies thirteen victims but investigators believe there may be more affected individuals.
The investigation was led by the FBI’s Cleveland Division. Assistant United States Attorney Megan R. Miller is leading prosecution efforts. "An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law," said officials.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio enforces federal criminal laws related to national security and public corruption while defending civil suits brought against the United States government; it covers forty northern counties within Ohio through offices located in Cleveland, Toledo, Akron, and Youngstown according to its official website.
