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Posted on Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 11:31 a.m.

Ypsilanti Township developer's trial on fraud charges delayed until November

By Art Aisner

The jury trial for an Ypsilanti Township condominium developer accused of swindling prospective buyers of $700,000 was postponed.

Robert George, 63, requested a delay in the trial on more than two dozen fraud charges and also asked for additional funding for an expert witness, court records show.

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Robert George, right, consults with attorney Tim Niemann during his preliminary hearing in this file photo.

Washtenaw County Circuit Judge Donald Shelton granted a $1,000 limit for an expert witness to scrutinize volumes of bank records that prosecutors intend to use to convict the residential developer.

Authorities charged George last December with obtaining money under false pretenses exceeding $20,000, larceny by conversion and fraudulent use of building contract funds. Prosecutors said the alleged crimes began in 2004 and involved more than 30 victims who either made sizable deposits with George’s company, Crystal Pond Inc., or were subcontractors that were never paid.

Just two of the 14 planned units at the Crystal Pond Condominiums were finished while George combined his personal and business accounts, police said. He is represented by the Washtenaw County Public Defender’s Office, which has a policy of not issuing statements before the conclusion of a case. 

George remains free on a $50,000 personal bond and is expected back in court on Nov. 16.

Art Aisner is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.