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    Los Angeles band frontman charged with $6M fraud

    Associated Press – Fri, Jan 25, 2013 5:05 PM EST

    LOS ANGELES (AP) — The frontman of a Los Angeles rock band has been charged with fraudulently obtaining more than $6 million dollars in loans to support his career and a lavish lifestyle.

    Robert Mawhinney was arrested at Miami International Airport this month and charged with making a false statement in a loan application. If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in prison. He's scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 11.

    Authorities said Friday Mawhinney submitted phony brokerage statements to banks that showed he had nearly $8 million in assets. Mawhinney said he needed the money to fund his band, Lights Over Paris, and to purchase recording equipment.

    Federal prosecutors say Mawhinney used the money he received from the banks for travel, entertainment and a luxury tour bus that cost more than $750,000.

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