SILVER SPRING, Md. An important part of Bonnie Schloss’ life centers on sailing a modest, 30-foot boat she keeps in Annapolis. The semiretired video editor enjoys the companionship of other sailors. And, she said, “there’s something about sailing. You just go out there and there’s a nice breeze, it’s quiet and I love the water. There’s nothing like the water, any kind of water.“

Deliberations to start today in Okun fraud trial Federal jury to consider 23 charges in an alleged $132 million operation A U.S. District Court jury in Richmond is expected to begin deliberations today in an alleged $132 million fraud that victimized hundreds of people across the county. The jurors yesterday listened to several hours of closing arguments, a year to the day since Edward Hugh Okun was initially indicted. He is being tried on 23 counts of conspiracy, mail and wire fraud, money laundering, cash smuggling and making a false statement.

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.