Swindler to be sentenced in the fall

Local man convicted of bilking former Google executive out of $2 million

A Kelowna man convicted of stealing $2 million from a former Google executive will be sentenced this fall.

Dan Keith Andersen arranged in August 2010 to receive US $2 million from California businessman Bart Woytowicz.

Woytowicz served as the director of sales and advertising with Google from 1998 to 2005.

Under the deal,Woytowicz transferred the $2 million into a bank account of Danimal Productions Inc., a company owned by Andersen.

Woytowicz was introduced to Andersen, who he understood was interested in buying Parallax, a 3D video company Woytowicz had invested heavily in, and starting a 3D moviemaking business in Kelowna.

Andersen told Woytowicz he was raising money through the sale of patents.

He said through his negotiations with Rubix Project Management SC, he expected to receive in excess of US$200 million.

He said a portion of those proceeds would be used to buy Woytowicz out of Parallax for Woytowicz’s asking price of US$4.2 million.

Andersen said he needed to satisfy European investors that Danimal had financial substance and proposed Woytowicz place the $2 million into Danimal’s account.

He said that money would be frozen or blocked and would not be moved out of the account or be touched in any way.

He said Woytowicz would be repaid by Sept. 30, 2010.

On Aug. 16, 2010, Woytowicz transferred the money into the account.

Later that day, Andersen had the funds moved to Rubix and the money disappeared.

In October 2017, Justice Gordon Weatherill found Andersen guilty of fraud and theft.

“I am satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused had a dishonest intention to transfer Mr. Woytowicz’s money contrary to the agreement thereby putting it at risk,” he wrote.

In court Monday, a sentencing date was set for Oct. 26.