Man pleads guilty to stealing $282K from clients

BALTIMORE (AP) — A Columbia man has pleaded guilty to stealing $282,000 from his clients in fraudulent schemes.

Forty-three-year-old Pedro Santiago pleaded guilty to wire fraud Wednesday in federal court in Baltimore. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison at sentencing on Jan. 27.

According to his plea, Santiago accepted $20,500 from a client, promising to help the client obtain a line of credit of between $550,000 and $750,000. Prosecutors say Santiago never secured the line of credit.

Authorities say Santiago also promised five clients who invested a total of $261,500 that he would broker a deal involving crude oil or other commodities. Prosecutors say no such deals were made.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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