CRANBERRY TWP — A Cranberry Township restaurateur was allegedly defrauded of more than $100,000 earlier this year by a Mechanicsburg man posing as an investment broker, police said.

Carl A. McNeil, 54, is charged in the case which began in February 2017.

According to the criminal complaint, Christopher Thompson was allegedly defrauded for $108,000. The complaint states Thompson and his wife, Meghan, were looking to open a bar and restaurant and secure funding to buy out a partner from another business agreement, the complaint states.

An investigation found that in February 2017 Thompson was contacted by a man who claimed to work for a company that was a part of a network of brokers, the complaint states.

Thompson was told he needed to provide 10 percent of the loan amount, which would be non-refundable. He sent two wire transfers totaling $18,200.

On May 27, 2017, Thompson was told that $900,000 was secured through C & D Financial Group LLC/Creative Capital Partners/C & D Corp. Services. He was told he needed to front $90,000 to secure the funding, the complaint states. Thompson transferred the funds, and was told he would receive the loan on Aug. 3, 2017.

The complaint states the funds were not received on that date, and Thompson was given several excuses as to why. Thompson requested a refund in August 2017, and was told it would take up to 30 days. He told police he had not spoken to any of the involved parties since September 2017, and had not received the money.

Officers spoke with McNeil on July 10. He allegedly said he was familiar with Thompson's account. McNeil allegedly told officers the delay in funds caused him to furlough his employees, “due to the financial strain it caused on his business,” the complaint states.

McNeil is charged with felony theft by deception and receiving stolen property, and was arraigned Wednesday by District Judge David Kovach. He was released on his own recognizance. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 24.

Read the full story in the Butler Eagle.