FRESNO, Cal (KFSN) — A convicted Fresno fraudster walked out of federal court on Monday as he prepares to spend 90 months in federal prison.<\/p>\n
“Mr. Billingsley, what would you tell your victims, sir?” Action News asked. “Any comment, Mr. Billingsley?”<\/p>\n
Matthew Billingsley ignored questions after a judge sentenced him for wire fraud.<\/p>\n
The former manager at the popular Dog House Grill pleaded guilty to a $30 million scheme that used forged documents to defraud local investors.<\/p>\n
“Me and my partner, we were about $3 million in now,” Faraz Gill told Action News.<\/p>\n
Billingsley promised to repay the funds in 10 days, and Faraz lent him the money.<\/p>\n
Federal prosecutors call it a classic case of “robbing Peter to pay Paul,” saying Billingsley used the money to pay down other loans and bought luxury goods.<\/p>\n
“‘Good luck collecting,'” prosecutors say Billingsley wrote in a text.<\/p>\n
“Why would he do those things that he did?” Gill said. “It just doesn’t make sense to me.”<\/p>\n
The sentencing lasted more than an hour and was, at times, tense as the attorneys argued about the amount of the loans.<\/p>\n
One of Billingsley’s loved ones clutched a rosary as he addressed the court, claiming he is “regretful and remorseful” and saying he will do everything in his power to right his wrongs.<\/p>\n
“Do you buy it?” Action News asked Gill.<\/p>\n
“You know, it’s hard to say,” he said.<\/p>\n
Billingsley’s defense attorney, Daniel Bacon, told reporters off-camera that his client wants to put this case behind him and has cooperated with the government.<\/p>\n
Judge Jennifer Thurston left Billingsley with a stern reminder, as she said every day he is in federal prison is one more day victims must wait to get repaid.<\/p>\n
“I need you to come back so you can pay these people,” she said.<\/p>\n
“I was hoping he would get less time, so we can actually start getting paid,” Gill said after the sentencing. “But now, we get to see what’s going to happen for the next 90 months.”<\/p>\n
Billingsley has already paid about $138,000 to other victims.<\/p>\n
He must now turn himself in to federal prison on February 25.<\/p>\n
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