Utah man sentenced for defrauding millions through bank fraud, identity theft

A Utah man, Misiona Patane, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for defrauding friends and family members out of $3.4 million. The U.S. Attorney's Office reported that the 60-year-old from Lehi engaged in a series of fraudulent activities, including forging legal documents and impersonating a private lawyer and an agent from the Utah Attorney General's Office to execute his deceitful plans.

In 2023, Patane pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including bank fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, and identity theft. His fraudulent actions took place from April 2015 through May 2020, targeting victims, including a relative who suffered a traumatic brain injury and relied on a trust fund for essential care.

Patane created bank accounts in the names of his victims and funneled their funds into his personal accounts. He misused the stolen money to finance a lavish lifestyle, which included extravagant travel and gambling, rather than using it for the care of his vulnerable relatives.

A significant portion of Patane's scheme involved diverting $2.5 million from the trust established for his injured relative. Shockingly, only $150,000 of those funds were actually used for the victim's care between 2016 and 2019, leaving them financially destitute.

The sentencing of Patane comes nearly a decade after he initiated his fraudulent activities, highlighting the severity and duration of his crimes against those who trusted him.