Youngstown Man Pleads Guilty to 5 Felony Charges Related to $460,000 Investment Scheme

SUMMIT COUNTY, Ohio - The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Securities announces that Brandon Kovach of Youngstown has pleaded guilty to five felony charges related to the misappropriation of $460,000 in investor funds.

Kovach, 35, pleaded guilty earlier today in Summit County Court of Common Pleas to a second-degree felony count of telecommunications fraud, a third-degree felony count of aggravated theft, a third-degree felony count of securing writings by deception, a third-degree felony count of money laundering and a fourth-degree felony count of grand theft. Sentencing has been scheduled to take place April 15, 2027. The judge ordered Kovach to deposit $8,000 with the court by January 15, 2027, as a deposit toward the restitution for the victim.

Kovach was originally indicted on March 24, 2026 after he allegedly defrauded an individual out of $460,000 between August 2019 and December 2021, convincing them to invest money with him, but then using it for his own needs. The Ohio Division of Securities led the investigation.

"Protecting Ohio investors is always our top priority, and cases like this underscore the importance of transparency and ethical conduct in all financial dealings," said Ohio Division of Securities Commissioner Andrea Seidt. "We are committed to holding individuals accountable when they take advantage of the trust placed in them by investors and misuse funds that don't belong to them. We will continue working to ensure that Ohio's investment markets operate with integrity and fairness for everyone."

This case is being prosecuted by the Summit County Prosecutor's Office in partnership with the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Securities.

Ohioans with any questions or concerns about investments or financial advisors should contact the Division of Securities at 614-644-7381, [email protected], or by completing its online contact form.

###

About the Division of Securities
The Division of Securities is part of the Ohio Department of Commerce. The department is Ohio's chief regulatory agency, focused on promoting prosperity and protecting what matters most to Ohioans. We ensure businesses follow the laws that help them create jobs and keep Ohioans safe. To learn more about what we do, visit our website at com.ohio.gov.