PORTLAND, OR – Sunday, May 10, 2026 – Robert Christensen, a co-owner of an Oregon real estate investment company, has been sentenced to 63 months in federal prison for his role in a $17 million Ponzi-like scheme. The U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed the sentencing, which follows Christensen’s guilty plea to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
The sentencing of Robert Christensen, 56, of Sherwood, Oregon, on April 30, 2026, marks a significant development in a case that defrauded individual investors and commercial lenders out of millions. Christensen is scheduled to surrender to federal custody on June 25, 2026, to begin his 5-year and 3-month sentence, followed by three years of supervised release.
The Charges Against Robert Christensen
Robert Christensen pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of money laundering. These charges stem from a sophisticated multi-year scheme he orchestrated with business partner Anthony Matic. The pair convinced individual investors to fund the purchase and renovation of residential real estate, primarily in the Great Lakes region, promising lucrative returns of 8% to 15% interest within short periods, typically 30 to 90 days.
However, the business did not generate sufficient legitimate returns. Instead, Christensen and Matic operated a classic Ponzi scheme, using new investor funds to repay earlier investors. When this flow of funds became insufficient, they expanded their fraudulent activities by obtaining millions in commercial loans through applications containing materially false financial information. A significant portion of these proceeds was diverted for personal use, funding lavish expenses such as casino trips, massages, vacations, gifts, a whiskey club membership, and cryotherapy.
Scale of the Crime: Millions Lost, Lives Shattered
The total amount defrauded in the scheme exceeded $17 million. This included more than $10 million stolen from individual investors and over $7 million from commercial lenders. While the exact number of victims remains unspecified, court documents and victim impact statements reveal a substantial number of individuals were severely affected, including many retail investors and retirees who lost their life savings. Some victims were pressured to take out home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) or liquidate retirement accounts, facing dire financial futures.
“I saw the red flags. I didn’t act. I don’t know why. I should’ve.”
This admission by co-conspirator Anthony Matic during his own guilty plea underscores the blatant disregard for the financial well-being of their victims.
Who Is Robert Christensen?
Robert D. Christensen, 56, a resident of Sherwood, Oregon, was a co-owner of several entities utilized in the scheme, including Foresee, Inc., The Commission PDX, LLC, The Policy PDX, LLC, and Innings 150, LLC. Before co-founding these real estate investment companies, Christensen worked as a residential loan officer and loan originator for national mortgage companies, a background that likely provided him with insight into financial mechanisms exploited during the fraud.
Investigation Details: A Multi-Agency Effort
The fraud, which ran from approximately January 2019 through June 2023, was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Trisotto led the prosecution for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
Concurrently, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) conducted a civil investigation, filing charges against Christensen and Matic on June 30, 2023. The SEC’s investigation, led by Steven Varholik and Michael Foley, resulted in final judgments entered on July 11, 2023. Christensen and Matic were ordered to pay $5,374,482 in disgorgement and prejudgment interest, jointly and severally with their entities. Christensen was also hit with a separate civil penalty of $200,000 and received permanent officer and director bars, preventing future participation in securities issuance or trading, except for personal accounts. The indictment was unsealed on August 27, 2024, with Matic pleading guilty on March 11, 2025, and Robert Christensen following suit on May 15, 2025.
What Happens Next: Prison and Lingering Consequences
With Robert Christensen’s sentencing complete, his focus now shifts to preparing for his surrender on June 25, 2026. The 63-month prison term will be followed by three years of supervised release, during which his activities will be monitored. The severe financial penalties from the SEC, including disgorgement and civil penalties, also represent a significant ongoing burden. The long-term impact on victims, many of whom lost their life savings, is expected to be profound and lasting.
For more insights into similar financial crimes, explore our related fraud investigations.
Protecting Yourself: Recognizing the Red Flags
The Robert Christensen case highlights critical red flags investors should watch for. Unregistered promissory notes offering unusually high, guaranteed returns (8% to 15%) within very short periods (30 to 90 days) are a primary warning sign. Such promises often indicate a high-risk venture or, more commonly, a fraudulent scheme. Pressure to invest larger sums, particularly by liquidating retirement accounts or taking out home equity loans, should also raise immediate suspicion.
A lack of transparency regarding how funds are being used, especially when coupled with diversions for personal luxury expenses rather than legitimate business operations, is a clear indicator of potential fraud. Always verify the legitimacy of investment opportunities, especially those promising returns that seem too good to be true. Due diligence and skepticism are your strongest defenses against investment fraud.
