Skip to main contentA California man who allegedly bought luxury cars and properties across Oregon, and splurged on trips to Vegas with money stolen from a third generation tree farm owner, turned himself in to federal agents today.
Blancey Lee, 39, is charged with nine counts of wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy alongside Rachel Lee, 43, and her daughter, Porsha Lee, 24, who were arraigned last week in U.S. District Court in Portland on charges of wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy. Rachel Lee's other daughter, Samantha, turned herself in Monday.
WW today examined the Lee family's alleged fraud—which investigators call the biggest "sweetheart swindle" they had ever seen.
Blancey Lee, a towering, husky figure with an Elvis Presley hairstyle, appeared in court flanked by two thicker, shorter members of his family who accompanied him north for the court appearance from his father's home in California.
All four defendants have retained private counsel with money that Assistant U.S. Attorney Donna Maddux told the court last week she suspects comes from the 66-year-old victim, Ralph Raines Jr., of Gaston.
Blancey Lee, whom officials suspect is either married to or dating Rachel Lee, bought two Bentleys, at least one Ferrari, a 1955 Chevy Bel-Air and a 2014 Ford F350 with money that Rachel and her daughters took from Raines over the past 10 years, court records say. Prosecutors say the family stole somewhere between $12 million and $20 million from Raines.
WWeek 2015