Is Edward Hugh Okun a conniving liar and thief who masterminded a $132 million fraud with 577 victims, some of whom lost their life savings? Or was he a successful, if at times overly aggressive, businessman who never intended to defraud anyone, who borrowed—not stole—money and intended to repay it? In a trial that started yesterday, a U.S. District Court jury has been asked to decide who the real Okun is. Okun, 58, was the owner of two Richmond-based companies allegedly used in the fraud: The 1031 Tax Group and Investment Properties of America.

Two years ago, Bonnie Schloss of Silver Spring, Md., sold her house and avoided paying capital-gains taxes by depositing $335,000 in proceeds with a so-called “1031” company. Problem was, the owner of the company, Edward Hugh Okun, allegedly stole the money in a $132 million fraud that victimized 577 clients. His trial is to start here today on charges that include fraud, money laundering and bulk-cash smuggling.

Virginia licenses. inRich.com, keyword: featured New driver’s licenses to feature secure black-and-white photos
Whether your Virginia’s driver’s license is valid is becoming a black-and-white issue.

A political refugee from Haiti pleaded not guilty yesterday in a racially tinged fraud case that started as a hate-crime investigation more than three years ago. Frantz Cadet, 48, is accused of targeting himself in a fake hate-mail campaign aimed at fleecing the Southside Nazarene Church in Chesterfield County, where he was in danger of losing his job as a maintenance man.

A class-action lawsuit claiming breach of contract, fraud and theft of property has been filed relating to LandAmerica Financial Group Inc.‘s 1031 Exchange business. The suit, filed Friday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Richmond, is on behalf of LandAmerica 1031 Exchange Services customers. Named in the suit are the Henrico County-based holding company, its exchange company and several executives, including former chairman and chief executive Theodore L. Chandler Jr., who stepped down Friday; Chief Financial Officer G. William Evans; and controller Christine R. Vlahcevic.

Federal prosecutors allege the 2005 romance and marriage of Edward Hugh Okun and Simone Bolani played a part in a $132 million fraud that victimized 577 clients through a now-defunct, Richmond-area company.

A man who stole $450,000 from his employer but avoided a prison sentence because of medical problems may be headed behind bars after all.