When asked whether he is an African prince, Daryl Robert Harrison, an Ohio-born man who stands accused in an investment scheme told a federal jury: “Yes. It’s been validated.” Harrison said that was by virtue of a 2015 letter from an African king bestowing him with the title, “Prince Daryl Attipoe.”
But authorities say the royal title seems to be “honorary,” as it does not entitle Harrison to ascend to the throne, according to a defense witness who testified via video conference from Ghana, Africa.
Prosecutors also say that the “prince” name was one of several aliases that Harrison used in an elaborate ruse to impress and snare unsuspecting victims into “investing” with him.
Prosecutors allege that Harrison, 44, bilked a dozen investors out of more than $800,000, promising huge rates of return on ventures such as diamond, chrome and gold mining. Such financial transactions require a license, authorities said, noting Harrison admitted being unlicensed.
That’s the crux of a case that a jury began deliberating in U.S. District Court, Dayton, Ohio, on Sept. 15; deliberations were to resume Sept. 16.
In one of the more unusual white-collar crime trials that courthouse personnel have seen in recent years, Harrison is accused of 15 federal charges: a count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, three counts of mail fraud, nine counts of wire fraud and two counts of witness tampering. A count of witness tampering was dropped in the midst of the…
