A Connecticut man was sentenced to two years in prison for defrauding multiple credit unions and banks through an auto loan scheme, according to federal authorities.
Ronnie Bonner, 64, of Hartford, also was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to three years of supervised release.
Authorities, citing court documents and statements made in court, said Bonner, between September 2014 and February 2015, worked as a sales associate for an automobile dealership in Simsbury, and “defrauded credit unions and banks by applying for, in his name and the names of acquaintances, 19 loans to purchase motor vehicles identified with specific Vehicle Identification Numbers.”
Authorities said that, for most transactions, no motor vehicle was being purchased. “Bonner cashed or deposited the loan disbursement checks, and typically made several payments on the loan before stopping payments” and received a “total of $646,351.38 in loan proceeds through this scheme.”
Underhill ordered Bonner to pay restitution of $395,124.40.
He arrested on Nov. 5, 2020 and pleaded guilty to financial institution fraud in 2023.
Bonner, who is free on a $25,000 bond, must report to prison on May 7, authorities said.
The case investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force, Hartford Police Department, and Connecticut State Police.
