South Florida accountant gets prison time for $10M fraud

A Broward accountant who admitted he took part in a $10 million investment fraud was sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison on Tuesday, court records show.

Bruce Kane, 62, of Fort Lauderdale, told agents he got involved in the fraud so that he and his wife could “live the lifestyle we always wanted,” according to court records. He said he used the money on a lavish lifestyle, which included buying exotic cars and renting a waterfront home, authorities said.

Kane, who was arrested last year in Fort Lauderdale, was sentenced Tuesday in federal court in Binghamton in upstate New York.

The former certified public accountant, who moved to South Florida from Ithaca several years ago, pleaded guilty to a fraud conspiracy charge and admitted he caused several of his former clients to be victimized by the fraud.

In a letter of apology to victims, Kane wrote: “There is no acceptable excuse that makes things right. I will work for the rest of my life, while there is breath in my body, not intending to regain your trust or your forgiveness, but to pay you back what I am able.”

A Plantation man, Burton Greenberg, 76, who also admitted his guilt, is already serving an eight-year federal prison term for his role in the fraud.

A third suspect, Senol Taskin, formerly of Ontario, Canada, is believed to be a fugitive in Turkey, authorities said.

Investigators said the men took more than $10 million from investors over more than 10 years.

Prosecutors said much of the money was moved overseas to Italy, Canada, Turkey and Switzerland without the permission of investors.

Kane and Greenberg have been ordered to pay full restitution to the victims. Only a small percentage of that debt has been repaid so far, according to court records.