CEO of Private Jet Charter Company Convicted of Fraudulent Bankruptcy | USAO-EDVA

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia – A federal judge yesterday convicted a Reston businessman on a series of fraud charges relating to a bankruptcy case in which he discharged more than $ 6 million in personal debt.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, on July 13, 2017, President and CEO of Metropolitan Aviation, Alan Russell Cook, Sr., 64, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy as an individual. In anticipation of the filing, Cook transferred over $ 350,000 to his former girlfriend. He ordered her to open accounts in his name and in the name of a bogus company, Metro Aire, to receive his personal property and income from Metropolitan Aviation.

In his bankruptcy case, Cook failed to disclose multiple bank accounts and over $ 50,000 in casino withdrawals. Additionally, at the meeting of his creditors, Cook made several false affidavits, including that his business was shut down for four to five months and made no money in 2017. In fact, Metropolitan Aviation generated in revenue each month of 2017, totaling over $ 1 million. Cook also failed to disclose payments made for his girlfriend’s luxury vehicle and her access to the fraudulent entity’s bank account, including writing checks for personal expenses, withdrawing money, and paying checks. hotel stays.

Cook faces a maximum of 20 years in prison when convicted on April 22, 2022. Actual sentences for federal crimes are generally less than maximum sentences. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account US sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, United States Attorney General for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Greg Thompson, Acting Special Agent for the Central Atlantic Region, Office of the Inspector General of the United States Department of Transportation, made the announcement after U.S. Senior District Judge Claude M. Hilton accepted the verdict.

Deputy US prosecutors Jamar K. Walker and Alexander E. Blanchard are continuing the case.

A copy of this press release can be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Court documents and related information can be found on the website of the District court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by looking for case n ° 1: 21-cr-72.