Weho Rocker Arrested on Fraud Charges

Federal prosecutors charged a West Hollywood rocker Friday with fraudulently misrepresenting his income and assets so he could acquire $6.25 million in bank loans, the Los Angeles Times reported.

According to the newspaper:

Robert Brandon Mawhinney, who turned 30 Friday, could spend his next 30 years in prison if convicted of all charges. Prosecutors said he’s the lead singer of Lights Over Paris and went by the stage name Robb “TaLLLLL” University.

Prosecutors allege that between August 2009 and April 2011, Mawhinney conned Comerica Bank, JP Morgan Chase, Zions Bank and Bank of America out of millions. The biggest victim, Comerica Bank, lost more than $6 million, prosecutors claim.

Mawhinney allegedly told loan officers he was a ghost writer for musicians and needed the money for music equipment. According to the FBI, he presented the bank with documents showing he had more than $8 million in assets and ran a company with $13 million to $15 million in revenue. In reality, he had less than $10,000 to his name, authorities said.

Mawhinney was arrested at Miami International Airport earlier this month and was extradited to Los Angeles. He is scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 8.

Click here to read the entire Times story.

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