Millers Plead Guilty to Fraud and Identity Theft in Arizona

Categories: Arizona Business NewsArizona State News

The Arizona sports complex site representing a fraudulent investment scheme.

News Summary

Randy and Chad Miller have admitted to fraud and aggravated identity theft charges related to a scheme costing investors millions in a Mesa sports complex project. The Millers sold fake bonds and misled investors, leading to severe financial losses. With bankruptcy proceedings initiated for the development, investigations revealed personal benefits taken from the investors’ funds. As they face potential prison time and hefty restitution orders, this case underscores the critical need for accountability in investment opportunities.

Arizona – Randy Miller and his son Chad Miller have pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with a scheme that resulted in the loss of millions of dollars from investors. The duo was implicated in defrauding individuals to secure funding for a sports complex in Mesa, originally known as Legacy Park and currently operating as Arizona Athletic Grounds.

The U.S. Attorney, Jay Clayton, confirmed that the actions of the Millers led to nearly total losses for those who invested in the project. If they are convicted, they could face sentences of up to seven years in prison. Furthermore, the courts have ordered Randy Miller to repay nearly $7.3 million, while Chad Miller is required to pay back approximately $4.8 million.

As part of their fraudulent activities, the Millers sold fake municipal bonds intended to finance the development of the sports complex. They also engaged in forging and altering “binding” letters of intent, which misled investors regarding the expected attendance and profitability of the venue. The pair is accused of signing or directing others to sign customers’ names without their consent on documentation pertaining to fictitious investments.

Investigations revealed the Millers misappropriated a portion of the funds to purchase a new home, SUVs, and to pay themselves significant salaries, drawing tens of thousands of dollars directly from the financing they obtained. The financial troubles linked to Legacy Park began surfacing in late 2022, marked by contractors failing to receive payments for their work. Consequently, at least ten subcontractors filed liens against the property owner due to these unpaid debts.

By May 2023, Legacy Park went into Chapter 11 bankruptcy and was sold for under $26 million. After this sale, only about $2.5 million of the approximately $284 million owed to bondholders was recovered, highlighting the extent of investors’ losses resulting from the Millers’ fraudulent conduct.

The facility, now known as Arizona Athletic Grounds, is located near the intersection of Ellsworth and Williams Field Road. Despite its opening in January 2022, the project faced serious financial issues almost immediately.

The Millers’ fraudulent scheme received further scrutiny due to a collaborative effort between the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, emphasizing their dedication to the protection of investors. Prosecutors outlined that the Millers made several false and misleading representations to garner investments that were linked to their flawed project.

The vision for the complex was initially conceived by Randy Miller in the 1990s, intending to create a multi-sport facility to cater to youth sports needs in the region. In pursuit of this vision, the Arizona Industrial Development Authority approved the issuance of $282 million in bonds for the Legacy Park project, which occurred with minimal oversight from regulatory entities.

In addition to these criminal proceedings, the Securities and Exchange Commission has filed a civil complaint against both Millers, seeking the return of the fraudulently obtained gains. This ongoing saga sheds light on the importance of thorough scrutiny and accountability in investment opportunities, particularly in large-scale development projects.