A Maryland businessman was convicted of defrauding private jet customers out of approximately $15 million after promising their money would be used to purchase aircraft while instead spending it on yachts, jewelry and personal expenses, federal prosecutors said.
A federal jury has convicted Annapolis businessman Patrick Britton-Harr on six counts of wire fraud after prosecutors proved he orchestrated a years-long scheme that targeted wealthy private aviation customers through his company, AeroVanti.
Federal authorities said Britton-Harr convinced customers to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into aircraft purchases that never occurred while secretly using the money to bankroll an extravagant lifestyle.
Key Points
• Maryland private jet executive convicted of six counts of wire fraud
• Prosecutors say customers lost approximately $15 million
• Funds were allegedly spent on yachts, jewelry, luxury housing and personal expenses
The verdict was returned Wednesday in federal court in Maryland.
According to trial evidence, Britton-Harr, 43, owned and controlled AeroVanti, a private aviation club that offered members access to charter flights aboard private jets.
Customers promised ownership-backed flight packages
Prosecutors said Britton-Harr created what he called a “one-time membership opportunity” for so-called “Top Gun” members.
Under the program, customers were asked to contribute $150,000 upfront to help the company acquire aircraft. In return, members were promised blocks of discounted flight hours and assurances that their investments would be protected.
According to the Justice Department, Britton-Harr told investors their money would be used to purchase specific airplanes and that aircraft titles would be placed into escrow as security.
Collectively, members paid approximately $15 million toward the purchase of five aircraft.
Federal prosecutors said those aircraft were never purchased with the investors’ money.
DOJ: Money funded luxury lifestyle
Instead, prosecutors told jurors, Britton-Harr diverted the funds for his own benefit.
“Patrick Britton-Harr stole millions of dollars from his customers by lying to them about how he would use and protect their money,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva.
“He used his business as a front to fraudulently induce his clients to make down payments for services never provided.”
Duva said the stolen money funded luxury purchases and personal spending.
“Meanwhile, he bought yachts, expensive jewelry, and lined his own pockets,” Duva said.
Trial evidence showed Britton-Harr allegedly used customer money to purchase yachts, acquire jewelry, pay personal living expenses and rent a home near Tampa, Florida costing approximately $10,000 per month.
Prosecutors say fraud was concealed
Federal authorities said Britton-Harr later attempted to hide the scheme.
According to court records, he allegedly obtained a $1.5 million loan to purchase one of the aircraft he had already claimed had been acquired with customer funds.
Prosecutors said he withheld critical information from the lender in order to secure the financing.
“This conviction sends a strong message that if you scam and defraud others, we’re coming after you with the full weight of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Kelly Hayes.
“Through his greed and deceitful actions, Mr. Britton-Harr showed a total disregard for the law and others.”
FBI details impact on victims
Federal investigators said the scheme left numerous customers without the aircraft-backed benefits they believed they had purchased.
“This conviction holds Patrick Britton-Harr accountable for the lies he told and the millions of dollars he stole from customers to bankroll his extravagant lifestyle,” said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul.
“The FBI and our law enforcement partners work tirelessly to protect victims from fraudsters and will go after anyone who takes advantage of investors for personal gain.”
Additional healthcare fraud case pending
Britton-Harr’s legal troubles are far from over.
Federal prosecutors noted that he was separately indicted in May 2025 on multiple healthcare fraud charges and one count of money laundering.
That case alleges he participated in a scheme involving fraudulent Medicare billing for expensive respiratory testing.
He is scheduled to stand trial on those charges in October.
Sentencing still ahead
The six wire fraud convictions each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.
A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
A federal judge will determine Britton-Harr’s punishment after considering federal sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case was investigated by the FBI Baltimore Field Office and the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General.