Overview
- A federal jury in the District of Maryland found Patrick Britton‑Harr guilty on six counts of wire fraud for running AeroVanti’s “Top Gun” membership program.
- Prosecutors showed that members paid about $150,000 each as upfront deposits that together totaled roughly $15 million and were supposed to fund aircraft purchases and discounted flight hours.
- Evidence at trial showed Britton‑Harr spent member funds on yachts, expensive jewelry, a $10,000‑per‑month Florida rental and other personal expenses and tried to hide the scheme by obtaining a $1.5 million loan without disclosing key facts to the lender.
- The jury delivered the verdict Thursday, and Britton‑Harr faces statutory maximums of up to 20 years in prison per count although a judge has not yet set a sentencing date.
- The case was investigated by the FBI Baltimore Field Office and the Department of Transportation OIG and prosecuted by the DOJ Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office; a separate health‑care fraud and money‑laundering indictment against Britton‑Harr remains scheduled for trial in October 2026.