A Huntington man was sentenced Thursday to 21 to 63 years in prison for conning seven people out of millions of dollars in an elaborate land investment scheme starting in 2008.
Paul White had been convicted at Suffolk County court in December of seven counts of grand larceny following a two-month-long trial. White was ordered to pay nearly $3 million in restitution to his victims.
“Instead of investing their money, White spent their money,” Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said. “He financed a comfortable lifestyle, including the purchase of a farm for himself in Cleveland County, North Carolina, that he turned into a game reserve and used for hunting.”
Prosecutors said the 56-year-old con man claimed to be a financial adviser operating under the name of Professional Investment Advisor Inc., when he promised elderly investors lucrative federal tax benefits in commercial real estate transactions. The victims instead lost their retirement savings, authorities said.
Judge James Hudson also sentenced him to 1 and 1/3 to 4 years in prison for his scheme to defraud conviction.
