Man Jailed For 17 Years Over Fake Disney Scam

A man has been jailed for more than 17 years for conning investors out of more than $20m over a fake Walt Disney theme park and resort in North Texas.

Thomas W Lucas Jr, of Plano, was ordered to pay $8.4m in restitution after he was convicted of seven counts of wire fraud and one count of making false statements to the FBI.

Prosecutors said the 35-year-old defrauded more than 280 investors between 2006 and 2010 by claiming to have inside information on the park and getting 65 people to buy land in Collin and Denton counties.

The investors were told the land would be on the edges of the future park and they had hoped to sell it on to developers for a profit after Disney announced the park.

Court documents revealed they were shown fake and forged artistic impressions, maps and site plans related to "Frontier Disney Dallas-Fort Worth".

Prosecutors said Lucas earned more than $448,000 in sales commissions and fees from the land deals. He spent some of that money on a 2007 holiday to London, where he was chauffeur-driven around the city, ate at celebrity restaurants and went nightclubbing with VIP entry at a cost of more than $37,000.

US District Judge Amos Mazzant said Lucas' actions "caused a lot of damage to a lot of people".

He added: "I see no remorse whatsoever."

Lucas was sentenced on Tuesday to 17-and-a-half years in federal prison.

In a brief statement, he said he was "heartbroken and ashamed" for his actions.

Jimmy Dean, who was one of those duped by the scheme, told KXII TV: "It (Other OTC: ITGL - news) would be easier, as long as I didn't get shot, to be robbed with a gun.

"Because you can see that happening. You know what their intent is."

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS - news) has denied rumours of a theme park in North Texas.