BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. -- A Superior man has been convicted of investment fraud after convincing a man to invest $250,000 in a book series described as a western-themed "50 Shades of Grey."
Bret Gardner, 47, is set to be sentenced on Oct. 4 following his conviction for securities fraud by misleading or omission, according to the Boulder Daily Camera.
According to court documents the owner of Grandpa's Pawn & Gun in Longmont invested $250,000 in a series of books based around a character called the "Scoundrel" who woos attractive women of yore. The first book in the series was set to be delivered in 2012 with four more books in the works.
The books were not completed and bank records show Gardner used the $250,000 on personal expenses.