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A Houma real estate broker once hailed a symbol of youthful success entered a guilty plea last week to a single felony charge of computer tampering, bringing his prosecution for bank fraud to a close.
Travis Paul Griffin, 27, was arrested in December, charged with three counts of bank fraud in connection with transactions at local banks totaling $180,000. Prosecutors said Griffin has made restitution to the two banks, Synergy and South Louisiana, and is nearly done with some additional restitution in regard to other transactions, a factor that influenced their acceptance of the bargained plea.
State District Judge Juan Pickett sentenced him to three years in prison, but suspended the sentence pending successful completion of supervised probation and living up to restitution agreements.
Assistant District Attorney Dennis Elfert said, noting that in such cases restitution is often not made, or if it is certainly not on as rapid a basis.
Griffin said he did not wish to comment on the outcome, beyond a Facebook posting that took the form of a prayer, noting that he is “at peace and relieved” that Jesus Christ had allowed justice to be served and touched the hearts of the District Attorney’s office and the judge, “allowing them to see the truth and dismiss all fraud charges against me, allowing me to continue to serve you and grow my business ventures and continue to give back to those in need.”
Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives received complaints last year from the banks of multiple online transactions resulting in overdrafts.
The U.S. Secret Service assisted in the investigation, and agents were in the process of developing federal charges, at one point taking charge of the case after Griffin’s arrest for alleged violation of state bank fraud statutes. Upon learning that restitution was already in progress and that local prosecutors were well on their way toward crafting a resolution, they declined further action.
“He got in over his head,” Elfert said. “But the banks are happy.”
The case drew significant local attention because the affable Griffin had largely enjoyed a favorable public profile. He was known not just for his success as a franchisee of global real estate giant Coldwell Banker at a very young age, but also acts of community service and personal generosity.
Following Griffin’s arrest Coldwell Banker broke ties with Griffin, whose agency left its Corporate Drive offices. He opened a new real estate brokerage in Harahan. The felony conviction does not necessarily jeopardize Griffin’s broker’s license. The state’s real estate board only cancels licenses when a crime is deemed specifically related to an individual’s functions as a broker, in most cases.
