Sommet leader Brian Whitfield guilty in $20 million fraud

A federal jury on Friday found the leader of the now-defunct Sommet Group guilty on 14 of 15 counts against him related to a scheme to defraud clients and the government of $20 million.

Brian Whitfield, 49, was found guilty of stealing from clients to whom his company provided payroll services.

The jury acquitted Whitfield on one count of conspiring to defraud the Internal Revenue Service by filing false tax returns.

"Obviously, we are disappointed with the jury's verdict," Whitfield's attorney, Peter Strianse, said. "There was no evidence presented of any criminal conspiracy or agreement to defraud any client of Sommet or the IRS."

Federal prosecutors said Whitfield used the stolen money as his own piggy bank, buying boats and luxury clothes and funding lavish home renovations. Stolen money was used to buy naming rights for Sommet Center, what is now Bridgestone Arena, they said.

Whitfield testified in his own defense during trial, saying that a series of bad business decisions and mismanagement by other company executives led to financial troubles and then criminal charges. He said his biggest mistake was not paying attention, though prosecutors said he kept full control of company finances. Strianse argued that the case was better suited for civil court.

Whitfield is scheduled for sentencing Jan. 26.

Contact Stacey Barchenger at 615-726-8968 and on Twitter @sbarchenger.