Federal authorities have filed a civil forfeiture complaint against a property on Fox Island, alleging that it was purchased and improved with funds tied to a wire fraud and money laundering scheme, according to court documents filed Friday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The property, located at 531 6th Avenue, is owned by John S. Winslow, a former financial advisor accused of stealing approximately $920,000 from an elderly client’s accounts.
Authorities claim that Winslow used proceeds from his fraudulent activities to make a down payment on the home, pay the mortgage, and complete renovations, including installing a hot tub and upgrading appliances.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Winslow’s wire fraud scheme began in 2017, targeting an elderly widow whose financial accounts he managed.
Winslow allegedly convinced the woman to transfer funds from her brokerage and bank accounts into his own, often under the guise of higher returns.
By the time his scheme was uncovered, he had funneled nearly $1 million of the victim’s money into his accounts.