WASHBURN, N.D. – Officials have charged two people described as “Irish Travellers” in racketeering and other felony charges for targeting ranchers and other rural residents in construction fraud, with one victim alleged to have been scammed of $1.89 million.
State and county law enforcement investigators on Jan. 17 in McLean County District Court filed papers charging Sean Patrick Gorman, 26, and Bartley Gorman Jr., 55, with various Class B and Class C felonies.
Sean Patrick and Bartley Gorman Jr. both were charged with a Class B felony – illegally conducting an enterprise and a Class C felony, exploitation of a “eligible adult.” An eligible adult,” means someone 65 years or older, or could be someone with a disability. In addition. Sean Patrick Gorman also was charged with attempted theft of property, another Class B felony. Each Class B felony carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Class C felonies are five years in prison.
As the affidavit was filed, North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem on Jan. 17 issued a cease and desist order against the two men and “as many of the aliases as we can determine,” he said.
“It’s unbelievable,” Stenehjem said. “This is the most widespread example of consumer fraud in the construction realm that we’ve seen – a traveling group of people who roam the country to scam people.”
The attorney general said he hoped publicity would help alert “likely victims” to contact his…
