PHOENIX — A Scottsdale man was convicted of wire fraud last week after defrauding a victim out of $100,000 in a sham cannabis investment fund, federal prosecutors announced.
Christopher E. Galvin, 58, was found guilty following a three-day jury trial in front of U.S. District Judge Susan M. Brnovich. His sentencing is scheduled for May 30, 2025.
According to prosecutors, Galvin founded Hypur Ventures II in April 2019 and served as its CEO. He convinced a victim to invest in the fund by falsely claiming the money would go toward businesses in the cannabis industry.
Instead, Galvin used the $100,000 investment to cover his personal legal bills, pay other debts, and enrich himself. Despite repeated promises, Galvin never returned any of the victim’s money.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Phoenix Division and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsay Short and Bruce Van Baren of the District of Arizona.
