Opening arguments began Monday in the case of a former Chicago man accused of falsely claiming to represent several rich celebrity clients, including the estate of Bears great Walter Payton, to persuade a woman to invest more than $260,000 with him.
The U.S. District Court trial in Chicago will examine the investment practices of Brian McGowan, 49, during a nine-month period from 1997 to 1998 in which prosecutors charge he committed 19 counts of fraud against former Chicago resident Camille LaMie, 63, who now lives in South Carolina.
The defense attorney says that McGowan, who now lives in New Mexico, did nothing wrong and is the subject of a con by LaMie.
Prosecutors plan to call about 35 witnesses to testify, among them Michael Jordan’s mother, Delores, former basketball player Tim Hardaway, former Bear Matt Suhey and representatives from the Payton estate.
Assistant U.S. Atty. Diane MacArthur points to LaMie’s feeble health as one reason she trusted McGowan with her entire savings nearly 10 years ago. MacArthur says McGowan falsely promised LaMie he would place her money in low-risk investments that would pay regular income, and he said he would get health insurance for her.
To sell her on investing with him, prosecutors say, McGowan claimed to manage money for several well-known sports figures and their families. Over the course of the next several months, prosecutors say, LaMie gave McGowan about $268,900 to invest on her behalf.
