All Living Defendants Plead Guilty in New Jersey Timeshare Telemarketing Fraud Targeting Owners Over 55

The bottom line: cold calling a list of older consumers with false promises is not a gray area. Federal law adds up to 10 years in prison when telemarketing fraud targets people over 55.

Background

According to the DOJ, the scheme ran from about October 2016 to October 2020 through Williams Andrews Burns LLC, Resort BNB, Inc. and Williams & Burns, Inc. (together, "WAB"). The conspirators obtained lists of timeshare owners and cold-called them to pitch services for upfront fees.

Prosecutors say the false pitches included:

• Telling owners they had "bonus" timeshare weeks that WAB would rent for them.
• Falsely guaranteeing thousands of dollars in rental income.
• Offering "recovery" services to get back money lost in other scams.
• Claiming owners were entitled to money held by a government entity, often described as the attorney general's office or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

The pleas

O'Hanlon, 60, of Loxahatchee, Florida, also known as "Patrick Burns" and "William Burns," pleaded guilty on May 9, 2025. Stefanowski, 62, also of Loxahatchee, who served as controller and bookkeeper, pleaded guilty on April 30, 2025. Both pleaded to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud in connection with telemarketing that targeted or victimized timeshare owners over 55.

Both also admitted committing fraud from about November 2020 to August 2023 through a different but overlapping set of entities, including Ryan James & Daniels Corporation. The DOJ says this violated their bail conditions because it continued after their April 2023 arrest.

Toner, 43, of Lake Mary, Florida, admitted he was a manager and supervisor at WAB. Three others, Alex Klemash, Michael Lambe and La'Tresa Jackson, pleaded guilty in March 2023. A fifth defendant, William Chiusano, Jr., died, and the charges against him were dismissed. The case was heard before U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams in Camden.

The law

Each count carries up to 30 years in prison, including a 10-year enhancement under 18 U.S.C. § 2326 for telemarketing fraud that targeted persons over 55 or victimized 10 or more of them. Sentences may run consecutively.

Why it matters

The case combines three familiar elements: purchased lead lists, upfront fees and false claims of government involvement. Any one of them invites scrutiny. Together, they invite prosecution.

What this means for you

1. Never claim a government connection you do not have.
2. Do not charge upfront fees for promised rentals, sales or recoveries.
3. Know where your calling lists come from and how they will be used.
4. Give extra care to campaigns that reach older consumers.

Telemarketing to seniors carries enhanced penalties. Scripts should be reviewed with that in mind.