Man Charged With Faking Plane Crash For Insurance Money

Aug. 16--PLATTSBURGH -- A Port Kent native is accused of faking a high-profile plane crash to get the insurance money, along with similar schemes involving another aircraft, a Lamborghini Gallardo and a boat.

Theodore R. Wright III, 32, who now lives in Texas and Nevada; and co-conspirators Raymond Fosdick, 41, of Texas and South Carolina; Shane Gordon, 45, of Texas; and Edward Delima of Hawaii, acquired those items, insured them at values higher than their purchase price and wrecked them, a federal indictment says.

They then reportedly defrauded insurance companies.

The indictment accusing them was filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas on May 17 and unsealed on July 25.

NATIONAL ATTENTION

Wright gained national attention in September 2012 when his 1996 Beechcraft Baron aircraft crashed into the Gulf of Mexico, seemingly due to a cockpit fire.

He and his passenger, Fosdick, claimed to have free-floated for three hours before the U.S. Coast Guard rescued them, and the experience brought them appearances on such TV programs as "The Today Show" and "Inside Edition."

Despite the outcome of that flight, Wright told the Press-Republican then, he hoped the publicity would help change the perception some have of small planes as dangerous.

"There's a lot of misconception about general aviation," he said then. "The idea that small airplanes aren't safe is really not true."

According to the indictment, the issue was actually deception.

Government Auctions Online LLC, a now inactive corporation managed by Wright, purchased the plane around March 2, 2012, for $46,000, it says. And Wright reportedly insured it for $85,000 the next month.

Then he took water-landing training in Alabama in April, August and September 2012, the legal document says.

The day after the crash, Wright filed an insurance claim for loss of the aircraft in which he "falsely and fraudulently represented that the emergency landing in the Gulf of Mexico was caused by mechanical failure, rather than the result of an intentional act," the indictment reads.

The insurance company paid out $84,000 to Government Auctions.

LAWSUIT

That wasn't the end of it, though.

Tylka Law Center filed a personal-injury lawsuit against Wright on Fosdick's behalf on Sept. 17, 2013, seeking $1 million for injuries and damages sustained in the September 2012 crash.

Three months later, it was settled for $100,000, with the check made payable to Fosdick and Tylka Law, which issued an $8,000 check to Fosdick and a $42,000 check to Carissus LLC, a Texas-based corporation managed by Gordon.

On Dec. 23, 2013, Carissus transferred $41,000 to an account in Wright's name, the indictment alleges.

FLOODED CAR

The 2008 Lamborghini was purchased in November 2013 by Carissus for $76,000 via a wire transfer from an account in Wright's name, the indictment continues.

"On or about March 9, 2014, T. R. Wright drove the 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo into a ditch full of water, causing the vehicle to flood," the legal document states.

The next day, he filed an insurance claim, allegedly saying that crash was an accident as well.

In May 2014, Wright and Gordon "caused the insurance company to issue a check in the amount of $169,554 made payable to T. R. Wright and Carissus LLC."

PURCHASED PLANE

Excellent Aviation LLC, a now-inactive corporation that Gordon managed and directed, bought a 1971 Cessna 500 aircraft for $190,000 in March 2014, according to the lengthy indictment.

Then Plaisir en Vol Inc., a former Montana-based corporation, purchased the plane and insured it for $440,000.

Gordon was Plaisir en Vol's secretary and director.

In late August 2014, Fosdick allegedly flew to Athens, Texas, to destroy the Cessna.

He and Wright communicated via iMessages that are abridged and listed in the indictment.

Those allegedly show that Fosdick was preparing to carry out the act when an "Old man just showed up."

'IT'S DONE'

Fosdick then returned to South Carolina, but flew back to Athens on or about Sept. 12, 2014.

Wright told Fosdick via iMessage that a Black Altima was waiting for him at an inn in Humble, Texas.

"Do not get made in that car or it will sink us. I would really like it if you can have some switcheroos."

On Sept. 13, 2014, Fosdick, acting on Wright's direction, set the Cessna on fire, completely destroying it, the indictment says.

"It's done," he sent in a message, according to the legal paperwork.

LEARJET

On Sept. 17, 2014, Gordon filed an insurance claim for the loss of the plane, making false and fraudulent representations in a notarized document the following January, the indictment says.

The company insuring the aircraft paid out $440,000 to Plaisir en Vol Inc. through its law firm, Coats and Evans P.C., it says, and Gordon later endorsed the check, which was deposited in an account for the law firm.

That same month, an account held in the name of "Theodore R. Wright or A.R.P. or Shane W. Gordon, POA" received a wire transfer of $436,611.50 from Coats and Evans and another $50,000 wire transfer, both for the purchase of a Learjet, the indictment reads.

Theodore R. Wright Enterprises Inc. bought the jet on Feb. 27, 2015.

BOAT SINKS

Around Oct. 6, 2014, Wright Enterprises bought a 1998 Hunter Passage boat for $50,150.

About a month later, Delima received a "loan" of $193,500 to purchase the vessel, which he insured for $195,000, the indictment says.

On Nov. 7, Wright Enterprises "sold" Delima the boat, with Gordon signing the bill of sale.

"On or about February 20, 2015, the vessel was extensively damaged due to partially sinking in a marina in Ko Olina, Hawaii," the indictment alleges.

Wright and Delima communicated via Facebook about a week later, reportedly discussing how to handle a claim call to the insurance company.

Wright allegedly assumed Delima's identity on multiple dates when he communicated with the insurance company.

The following July, the company issued a $180,023 check payable to Hartmann Sanford Group Inc. that was deposited into an account in Wright's name.

Wright later transferred $180,000 to the account in his and Gordon's names.

DECADES IN PRISON

All four men are charged with attempt and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

The indictment further alleges Wright, Fosdick and Gordon committed wire fraud, conspiracy to destroy or damage property used in interstate commerce, arson of such property, and use of fire to commit a felony and aiding and abetting.

The wire fraud-related charges carry possible sentences of up to 20 years in prison.

Arson and conspiracy to destroy interstate commerce property could each yield five to 20 years in prison.

And conviction of use of fire to commit a felony allows for up to 10 years of imprisonment.

All charges could result in fines of up $250,000 and up to three years of post-release supervision.

The United States also seeks forfeiture of $938,554 and a Gates Learjet, along with all its logbooks, flight logs and keys.

TRIALS TO START

According to VINELink, Wright and Fosdick remained in custody at Gregg County Jail in Longview, Texas, on Tuesday night.

Gordon was released by court order July 25.

Online court records show jury trials for Fosdick, Gordon and Delima are scheduled to begin Sept. 12.

Wright's is set for Oct. 12.

Attorneys for Fosdick and Delima offered no comment on behalf of their clients regarding the accusations.

Lawyers representing Wright and Gordon did not return a request for comment.

Email Cara Chapman:

[email protected]

Twitter: @PPR_carachapman

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