Private Jet Charter Operator Convicted in $15 Million Fraud Scheme

A Maryland businessman was convicted in federal court on Wednesday for orchestrating a sophisticated fraud scheme that cheated customers of approximately $15 million under the guise of an exclusive private aviation investment opportunity.

Patrick Britton-Harr, 43, the owner and operator of the private jet charter company AeroVanti, was found guilty by a jury on six counts of wire fraud.

According to evidence presented during the trial, Britton-Harr solicited AeroVanti members to participate in a "Top Gun" membership program. The scheme invited customers to pay an upfront fee of $150,000 to help the company acquire new aircraft. In exchange for these payments, members were promised access to a block of discounted flight hours and assurances that their funds would be secured by placing aircraft titles in escrow.

Prosecutors established that while members collectively contributed $15 million under the impression they were financing the purchase of five specific aircraft, the planes were never acquired as promised. Instead, the court heard that Britton-Harr diverted the funds to bankroll a lavish lifestyle. Evidence showed the money was used to purchase luxury items, including yachts and jewelry, cover personal living expenses, and pay for a $10,000-per-month rental property near Tampa, Fla.

Furthermore, investigators revealed that Britton-Harr attempted to conceal the depletion of these funds by securing a $1.5 million loan to purchase one of the aircraft he had previously claimed to have already bought with customer funds. He reportedly withheld material information from the lender to secure that financing.

"Patrick Britton-Harr stole millions of dollars from his customers by lying to them about how he would use and protect their money," said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. "He used his business as a front to fraudulently induce his clients to make down payments for services never provided. Meanwhile, he bought yachts, expensive jewelry, and lined his own pockets."

The conviction carries a significant potential penalty. Each of the six wire fraud counts holds a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date for Britton-Harr has not yet been scheduled.

The legal challenges for the Annapolis resident may continue beyond this case. In May 2025, Britton-Harr was separately indicted on multiple counts of health care fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors allege he participated in a scheme to fraudulently bill Medicare for high-cost respiratory tests. That trial is scheduled to begin in October.