Greenwich antique dealer gets 5.5 years for $2.1 million theft from elderly man

David L. Johnson, 67, received a five-and-a-half-year federal prison sentence on Friday, Oct. 30, after a federal judge found him guilty of money laundering. The US Attorney for the District of Connecticut announced the sentence for the Greenwich, Conn., antiques dealer, who has been accused of stealing $2,168,719.24 from an elderly man and his estate.

Johnson operated two businesses in Stamford: Antique Treasures LLC and Greenwich Auction. Prosecutors said the victim, who died in August 2020 at age 87, placed Johnson in several positions of trust starting in October 2018. The man granted Johnson power of attorney, named him executor of his will, and selected him as trustee. These roles gave Johnson authority over the man’s financial affairs but did not give him the right to inherit from the estate or trust.

Investigators determined that Johnson took more than $436,000 from a federal tax refund check issued to the victim after the man’s death. In total, prosecutors calculated that Johnson misappropriated over $2.1 million from the man and the estate. Johnson pleaded guilty to money laundering on July 21. He is currently free on a $500,000 bond and must report to prison on December 14.

US District Judge Michael P. Shea ordered Johnson to repay $1,025,056.36 to the victims. Authorities noted that Johnson had already returned some of the stolen money prior to sentencing. The judge also imposed three years of federal supervision to follow Johnson’s prison term. The case highlights the financial risks associated with granting broad legal authority to third parties.

The sentencing took place in the US District Court for the District of Connecticut. Johnson’s attorney did not comment on the ruling immediately after the hearing. The restitution order covers the remaining balance of the stolen funds that have not yet been recovered or returned to the estate.