Authorities Seize Vehicle from Former Oregon CEO to Help Fulfill Restitution Order

Portland, Oregon– The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon made a significant stride in the pursuit of justice today by seizing a vehicle purchased for Jon Harder, the former CEO of Sunwest Management and associated companies, who was implicated in a $120 million fraud scheme—one of the largest in Oregon’s history. The proceeds from the vehicle’s sale will be directed towards fulfilling the court-imposed restitution order against the former defendant.

According to court documents, in July 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office received information indicating that Harder had acquired a 2023 Ford F-150 truck for approximately $70,000 in cash, with funds provided by a non-familial individual. Further investigation uncovered that the vehicle was registered solely under Harder’s name and was being kept at his residence in Canyonville, Oregon. Acting on a U.S. District Court order issued on January 19, 2024, the U.S. Marshals Service seized the vehicle from Harder’s property. Subsequently, the court sanctioned the sale of the vehicle and directed the proceeds to be applied to Harder’s outstanding restitution balance.

Harder formerly held a leadership role over a conglomerate of companies engaged in the acquisition, construction, and management of assisted living facilities. Under his guidance, Sunwest Management and its affiliates amassed approximately 300 assisted living facilities, catering to over 15,000 residents. However, investigations revealed a darker truth—Harder knowingly misled hundreds of investors regarding the nature and risks associated with their investments in Sunwest properties and development ventures. He concealed the dire financial state of Sunwest, which continuously operated at substantial monthly losses, deceiving more than 1,400 investors and inflicting losses exceeding $120 million.

The now-former CEO was handed a 180-month federal prison sentence for charges of wire fraud and money laundering. Additionally, he was ordered to disburse over $74 million in restitution to his victims.

This investigation was a collaborative effort involving the IRS-Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, FBI, and the Justice Department’s U.S. Trustee Program. Julia Jarrett, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, along with the Financial Litigation Program staff of the District of Oregon, represented the United States in this case.

The District of Oregon’s Financial Litigation Program (FLP), housed within the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Asset Recovery and Money Laundering Division, played a pivotal role in ensuring justice for the victims. FLP’s mission is to secure maximum recovery of civil and criminal debts while adhering to relevant laws, regulations, and Justice Department policies. FLP attorneys and support personnel collaborate with individuals subject to restitution orders to bring closure to victims of crime and recover losses incurred by U.S. taxpayers.