A Santa Barbara County man could end up spending three decades behind bars after entering a guilty plea to federal charges he defrauded thousands of would be renters, and homeowners.
Prosecutors say Michael Davenport operated various telemarketing businesses which offered good rental and purchase prices for housing, but forced interested home-hunters to buy a housing list for $199 dollars.
But, the housing on the list was never available. Investigators say 100,000 people may have been defrauded over a seven year period, with a $25 million dollar loss.
Prosecutors say Davenport pled guilty to mail and wire fraud charges, and will be sentenced in December.
