https://www.25newsnow.com/2024/04/15/request-new-trial-denied-matthewsbrannan-case/

Two former developers of the Pere Marquette Hotel, convicted of fraud and money laundering, have been sentenced to federal prison for crimes in which Peoria city officials say all city taxpayers were among the victims.

U.S. District Judge Sara Darrow sentenced Gary Matthews, who is in his early 80s, to three years and four months in prison. Monte Brannan, who is in his 70s, was given two-years in prison. Matthews was ordered to pay almost $8.2 million restitution and Brannan was ordered to pay almost $4.8 million.

The two men were convicted of transferring an estimated $13.8 million from the hotel revenues and further diverting at least $1.6 million to themselves for their businesses.

“The pair had conspired to disguise the fact that they were taking money from the hotel complex operations by claiming they were using the funds to pay for the mortgage and real estate taxes for the hotel. In the course of that scheme, the two illegally transferred funds to themselves in an effort to disguise the source and ownership of the money they had taken,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a news release after the two were convicted last November.

After the trial, the City of Peoria released a statement saying the jury recognized taxpayers, the city, senior lenders and the Marriott Corporation were victims of Matthews’ and Brannan’s crimes.

“With new owners in place, the city is working to ensure that the future of the Hotel Pere Marquette is sustainable and economically successful,” the city statement said.

Before the sentencing, Judge Darrow denied a defense request for a new trial.

PEORIA (25News Now) - A federal judge has denied the request of a new trial in the Gary Matthews/Monte Brannan money laundering and mail fraud case.

The ruling came down during a day where sentencing was scheduled to take place.

Brannan and Matthews’ attorneys filed for a new trial because the defense claimed the jury was misled regarding expenses related to the hotel, and there was insufficient evidence. They also said the jury was exposed to bias from a witness.

Back in November, Matthews and Brannan were jointly charged with five counts of mail fraud and 13 counts of money laundering. Brannan was also charged, individually, with three counts related to bankruptcy fraud committed in his personal bankruptcy case.

Matthews was found guilty on all mail fraud charges and 12 of the 13 money laundering counts, according to a Department of Justice release. Brannan, who earlier in the trial had pleaded guilty to the bankruptcy fraud counts, was convicted on all 18 remaining counts.

The scheme the pair were convicted of included the transfer of an estimated $13.8 million away from the hotels’ revenues and further diverting at least $1.6 million to themselves for their businesses.

The government asserted that Matthews and Brannan devised and participated in a scheme to defraud investors, the City of Peoria and other lenders.

Over 11 days of testimony, the government presented evidence to establish that Matthews and Brannan orchestrated a scheme to defraud their investors, the City of Peoria, Core Construction, Indure, and other lenders and creditors. The pair had conspired to disguise the fact that they were taking money from the hotel complex operations by claiming they were using the funds to pay for the mortgage and real estate taxes for the hotel.

In the course of that scheme, according to a Department of Justice release, the two illegally transferred funds to themselves in an effort to disguise the source and ownership of the money they had taken.

Both Matthews and Brannan were released with their current bonds in full force and effect. At sentencing, the defendants face statutory penalties of up to 20 years’ imprisonment for the mail fraud and money laundering charges, followed by up to five years of supervised release. The bankruptcy charges carry a possibility of up to five years’ imprisonment and up to three years of supervised release. Each of the counts carries the possibility of a $250,000 fine.