November 24, 2024
A judge in Maryland ruled in favor of the DOJ in its lawsuit against AeroVanti Founder Patrick Britton-Harr by default judgment.
In a ruling filed on Nov. 20, 2023, a Maryland judge ruled AeroVanti founder Patrick Tormany Britton-Harr guilty by default judgment.
The ruling stems from a July lawsuit by the Justice Department against Britton-Harr and related companies alleging Medicare fraud.
The defendants include Britton-Harr, Provista Health, LLC; AMS Onsite, Inc.; Britton-Harr Enterprises, Inc.; Coastal Laboratories, Inc.; and Coastal Management Group, Inc.
They were found guilty jointly and severally liable for $21.5 million in treble damages and $9.4 million in penalties.
The DOJ had accused Britton-Harr of using funds gained from the fraud to launch AeroVanti in 2021.
After stepping down during the Summer, Britton-Harr returned to the CEO spot last month.
Scott Hopes, CEO after Britton-Harr left, said the private aviation flight provider was facing as much as $50 million in liabilities.
AeroVanti is facing multiple lawsuits from members and aircraft lessors.
READ: Caveat Emptor: Avoiding private jet scams, bankruptcies, and shutdowns
The FAA had previously sent letters to members as part of a probe into illegal charters.
In 2022, Britton-Harr announced $100 million in funding in a press release, a claim Private Jet Card Comparisons later found to be false.
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