William Vogt Allegedly Posed As Wealthy Fashion Designer “Bill Bolland” To Steal Over $350,000 From Victim

Vogt Charged on 18-Count Indictment With Grand Larceny, Forgery and Securities Fraud Under the Martin Act; Attorney General’s Investigation Continues

Schneiderman: Whether You Are A Big Bank Or A Fraudster Looking To Make A Quick Buck, Deceiving Investors Will Not Be Tolerated

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced the arrest of William Vogt, a resident of Orange County, on an 18-count indictment. Vogt is charged with having posed as an internationally renowned fashion designer named “Bill Bolland,” to lure his victim into making more than $350,000 in investments. In fact, the indictment charges that Vogt stole the monies and used them for personal expenses. If convicted, Vogt faces up to 15 years in prison.

“Whether you are a big bank or a fraudster looking to make a quick buck, defrauding investors is a serious crime in New York,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “This individual allegedly went to outrageous lengths, including creating a fake identity, to trick his victim into trusting him with hundreds of thousands of dollars. My office will continue to investigate these allegations and seek to secure justice for all of its victims.”

According to the indictment unsealed in New York County Supreme Court and statements made by the prosecutor at the arraignment, Vogt, 56, of New Hampton, NY, held himself out as millionaire designer Bill Bolland, with a company called Bill Bolland Haute Couture. Using this fraudulent identity, Vogt is accused of convincing his victim to invest with him in various fictitious ventures from 2011 to 2014, including a purportedly tax-free account at Credit Suisse, stock in the VOSS Water Company and cooperative apartment units in Manhattan. Vogt is charged with taking the victim’s money by promising to secure office space at the Heron Tower in Manhattan, to procure seats on the Board of Directors of Voss Foundation, to purchase healthcare insurance and an IRA, to facilitate an application for Swiss citizenship, and make a contribution to Hillary Clinton.

Prosecutors further stated that in order to make the investments appear legitimate and to conceal his theft, Vogt sent numerous forged emails to the victim during the 3-year period, purporting to be from entities such as Credit Suisse, VOSS, Voss Foundation, Morgan Stanley, and a law firm.

Contrary to Vogt’s verbal and written representations, he allegedly made no investments and transacted no business on behalf of the victim. Instead, Vogt used the money for a variety of personal and living expenses, such as paying rent, shopping at Home Depot, Target, and Shoprite, and making purchases via Paypal.

William Vogt is charged with two counts of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (a class "C" felony), four counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (a class "D" felony), nine counts of Forgery in the Second Degree (a class "D" felony), and three counts of violations of the Martin Act (a class "E" felony).

Vogt was arrested this morning and arraigned before the Honorable Thomas Farber in New York County Supreme Court. He is currently being held on $4 million bond over $2 million cash bail.

If convicted, Vogt faces a maximum sentence of up to 15 years in prison. The charges against the defendant are allegations and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Attorney General thanks the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office and the Town of Lloyd Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.

In addition to the victim who is the subject of this indictment, the Attorney General’s investigation has revealed that Vogt stole from several other investors with false promises of high-return investments in securities and various other businesses. The Attorney General’s investigation into additional crimes by Vogt against additional victims in New York and other states continues.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Gabriel Tapalaga and Isaac Gilwit of the Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau, with the assistance of Legal Analyst Bradley Rutty. The Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau is led by Bureau Chief Gary Fishman and Deputy Bureau Chiefs Stephanie Swenton and Meryl Lutsky. The Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau is part of the Criminal Justice Division, led by Executive Deputy Attorney General for Criminal Justice Kelly Donovan.

The Attorney General's investigation was conducted by Investigator Ryan Fannon under the direction of Supervising Investigator John Sullivan and Deputy Chief John McManus. The Investigations Bureau is led by Chief Dominick Zarrella.