Local Man Sentenced for Scamming Rich, Famous

PHILADELPHIA - April 24, 2007 (WPVI) -- He lived the good life in the fast lane, traveled with the rich and famous, but it all came to a dead end for Peter Brotman in federal court today.

Brotman's family and friends packed the courtroom asking the judge for leniency.

The 47-year-old resident of Newtown Square admitted that he defrauded at least seven people and a bank to the tune of almost $2-million.

He did it by promising to sell their expensive classic cars for a commission.

He sold the cars, but never paid the owners.

Among the victims: actor Nicholas Cage, who lost $300,000 on the sale of three Ferraris and a Cobra.

Peter Kirsch's father lost an Aston Martin and a Rolls Royce.

Brotman tearfully begged the judge for mercy.

"It's very difficult for me to stand here and admit and realize that I've committed fraud and I'm a criminal. But I am and I'm ashamed, and I'm very embarrassed," he said.

Brotman admitted that he fled to Europe, hiding out in France for two years and did nothing to repay his victims.

The judge then sentenced him to 5 years in prison.

Brotman's parents, wife and two daughters had nothing to say as they left court.

Christopher Wedgewood, who gave Brotman a job as a property manager, came all the way from France to testify on his behalf.

"He had complete control of every part of my business. That guy had every opportunity to defraud, steal, whatever. Did he? Absolutely not," said Wedgewood.

The prosecutor said Brotman stole from plenty of other people who trusted him.

At one point, the feds said, Brotman tried to hold off his victims by telling them he was expecting a big commission from the sale of a $450-million art collection.

Brotman admitted he was robbing Peter to pay Paul, a classic Ponzi scheme. He said he still intends to pay back his victims. The judge says he has no choice and made restitution part of his sentence, but he's not likely to get hold of the money while sitting in jail for the next five years.

(Copyright 2007 by the Action News and 6abc. All Rights Reserved.)

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