An Atlanta man, Maurice Eugene Smith, 44, has been arrested on charges of wire fraud after he allegedly took over $109,000 in payments for travel services for George Mason University’s (GMU) men’s basketball team that were never provided.
The scheme began in June 2023 when GMU sought to organize a basketball team trip to the Bahamas for August 2024. Discussions led to Smith, operating under Eugene Toriko LLC, offering to handle logistics, including flights, hotels, meals, and activities for 30 people. By February 2024, Smith had estimated the trip would cost $159,756, eventually finalizing the agreement in April.
After signing a contract, GMU’s fundraising arm, the George Mason University Foundation (GMUF), wired over $159,000 across multiple payments between April and May to Company A, the intermediary working with Smith. Company A forwarded $109,756.07 to Smith.
Despite the payments, Smith allegedly failed to secure any reservations, including flights and hotel rooms, or make payments to Bahamian vendors for activities such as a planned catamaran tour. Investigators say Smith continued to provide updates on logistics to GMU through Company A, falsely implying arrangements had been secured up until three days before the team’s departure date in August.
Family members and supporters of the GMU basketball team who paid to join the trip also suffered financial losses.
GMUF has not recovered the funds. Although Smith initially claimed his professional liability insurance would cover the losses, authorities revealed his policy had lapsed.
Smith now faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted. Sentencing will depend on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
