Brighton man sentenced for defrauding investors

John Zdanecis, 79, of Brighton, who was convicted of mail fraud, has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Charles G. Siragusa to five years’ probation.

The defendant was also ordered to pay $82,500 in restitution to victims.

Zdanecis, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Field, solicited investors to participate in a commodities trading pool, Comtra Limited, that he controlled. He then used most of the money for personal and business expenses and did not invest it in commodities as promised. To conceal his scheme, the defendant sent his investors periodic account statements that were false and misrepresented the true condition of the investments. As a result of the fraud, investors lost more than $160,000.

At sentencing, Zdanecis was subject to a recommended sentencing guideline range of 33 to 41 months in prison.