Couple Pleads Guilty in Long-Running Telemarketing Fraud Targeting Elderly Timeshare Owners

Scheme operated through multiple companies from 2016 to 2023, defrauded victims over 55 and continued after initial arrests.

Two Florida residents have pleaded guilty in federal court to wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a years-long telemarketing scheme that defrauded elderly timeshare owners, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced. William O’Hanlon, 60, and his wife, Karen Stefanowski, 62, both of Loxahatchee, Florida, admitted to participating in a scam that operated from 2016 to 2023 through multiple corporate entities.

O’Hanlon, who used aliases such as “Patrick Burns” and “William Burns,” entered his plea on May 9, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams in Camden. Stefanowski, who served as the controller and bookkeeper for the fraudulent operations, pleaded guilty on April 30. Both face sentencing in September—O’Hanlon on the 22nd and Stefanowski on the 4th.

The couple were central figures in a scheme that primarily targeted timeshare owners aged 55 and older. Operating through businesses such as Williams Andrews & Burns LLC, Resort BNB, Inc., and Williams & Burns, Inc.—collectively referred to as “WAB”—the conspirators used telemarketing tactics to cold-call victims, offering fraudulent services including timeshare rentals, buyouts, and recovery of prior scam-related losses, all in exchange for upfront fees.

From October 2016 through October 2020, O’Hanlon, Stefanowski, and other co-conspirators made false claims, including guarantees of rental income and recovery of funds allegedly held by government agencies like the Federal Trade Commission. Victims were persuaded to pay fees for services that were never delivered.

Following their arrest in April 2023 on charges related to WAB, O’Hanlon and Stefanowski violated their bail conditions by continuing to commit fraud. According to their admissions, from November 2020 through August 2023, they resumed operations under new entities, including Ryan James & Daniels Corporation and other overlapping firms, collectively referred to as “RJD.”

The couple agreed to pay restitution to victims of both the WAB and RJD schemes. Each count of conspiracy and wire fraud carries a potential sentence of up to 30 years in prison, with enhanced penalties due to the targeting of elderly individuals. Fines may also be imposed, including up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offenses, along with terms of supervised release.

Additional defendants in the case include James Toner of Lake Mary, Florida, and three New Jersey residents—Alex Klemash of Williamstown, Michael Lambe of Mullica Hill, and La’Tresa Jackson of Lindenwold—who previously pleaded guilty to related charges. Charges against another defendant, William Chiusano, Jr., were dismissed following his death.

The investigation was conducted by agents from the FBI’s South Jersey Resident Agency, the IRS Criminal Investigations in Newark, and the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Diana Vondra Carrig and Elisa T. Wiygul.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.