Former Dog House Grill manager sentenced to federal prison for $30M fraud scheme

FRESNO, Cal (KFSN) -- A convicted Fresno fraudster walked retired of national tribunal connected Monday arsenic helium prepares to walk 90 months successful national prison.

"Mr. Billingsley, what would you archer your victims, sir?" Action News asked. "Any comment, Mr. Billingsley?"

Matthew Billingsley ignored questions aft a justice sentenced him for ligament fraud.

The erstwhile manager astatine the fashionable Dog House Grill pleaded blameworthy to a $30 cardinal strategy that utilized forged documents to defraud section investors.

"Me and my partner, we were astir $3 cardinal successful now," Faraz Gill told Action News.

Billingsley promised to repay the funds successful 10 days, and Faraz lent him the money.

Federal prosecutors telephone it a classical lawsuit of "robbing Peter to wage Paul," saying Billingsley utilized the wealth to wage down different loans and bought luxury goods.

"'Good luck collecting,'" prosecutors accidental Billingsley wrote successful a text.

"Why would helium bash those things that helium did?" Gill said. "It conscionable doesn't marque consciousness to me."

The sentencing lasted much than an hr and was, astatine times, tense arsenic the attorneys argued astir the magnitude of the loans.

One of Billingsley's loved ones clutched a rosary arsenic helium addressed the court, claiming helium is "regretful and remorseful" and saying helium volition bash everything successful his powerfulness to close his wrongs.

"Do you bargain it?" Action News asked Gill."

"You know, it's hard to say," helium said.

Billingsley's defence attorney, Daniel Bacon, told reporters off-camera that his lawsuit wants to enactment this lawsuit down him and has cooperated with the government.

Judge Jennifer Thurston near Billingsley with a stern reminder arsenic she said each time helium is successful national situation is 1 much time victims indispensable hold to get repaid.

"I request you to travel backmost truthful you tin wage these people," she said.

"I was hoping helium would get little time, truthful we tin really commencement getting paid," Gill said aft the sentencing. "But now, we get to spot what's going to hap for the adjacent 90 months."

Billingsley has already paid astir $138,000 to different victims.

He indispensable present crook himself successful to national situation connected February 25.

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