Ex-Rochester Actual Property Investor Steals Hundreds of thousands From Traders: Feds

ROCHESTER, MI — A former Rochester real estate investor scammed numerous investors out of millions of dollars, federal officials said.

Sean Tissue, 37, of Social Circle, Georgia, pleaded guilty Tuesday to wire fraud and bankruptcy fraud. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for wire fraud and five years in prison for bankruptcy fraud.

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While living in Rochester from 2015-2021, Tissue encouraged people in Israel, India, South Africa, and other countries to invest in real estate in Michigan, Texas, and other locations, officials said.

As owner of several investment companies, Tissue, under the fake name, “Sean Ryan” provided fake information to investors and convinced them to send him money through interstate or international wire transfers, officials said.

Tissue also caused various false documents to be provided to investors, including fake deeds, fake wiring instructions, fake bank statements, fake leases, and fake inspection reports.

Tissue later withheld information about the money obtained through this scheme in November 2017 and May 2019, while filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, officials said.

All together, officials said Tissue stole $3 million from investors.

“This defendant defrauded his real estate clients and then attempted to escape the consequences by declaring bankruptcy,” said James A. Tarasca, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Detroit division. “His actions not only harmed individual clients, but also impacted potential investments in the city of Detroit.”

During the scheme, Tissue ran several investment companies, including The Centureon Companies LLC, Greystone Home Builders LLC, Sycamore Homes LLC, Lenovo Homes LLC, NROL Holdings LLC, Phillip Ryan LLC, Boardwalk Heights B2R LLC, NROL Property, and Investment LLC.