Con Artist's Number Is Up Today

Lawrence Haye was a 25-year-old Mitchellville resident running his family's small investment firm when he met Miller for lunch at a French restaurant. Miller told Haye he was a lawyer, a former investment banker and a real estate tycoon operating a large investment fund that targeted residential property. Miller said his firm expected to generate $40 million in revenue in 2004, Haye testified.

Haye gave Miller a check for $15,000. Miller wanted more. After reviewing a thick binder detailing the Queen Anne properties, Haye turned over an additional $25,000. Miller soon stopped meeting Haye and other investors or even returning phone calls, Haye said.

"I am angry about it," Haye said in a recent interview. "I am embarrassed by it. I just felt so stupid. . . . But it has taught me to be much, much more careful about investments, especially in real estate."

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The scheme came crashing down in April 2004, when the Secret Service and D.C. police arrested Miller on state charges in Maryland. Miller, who has been locked up ever since, pleaded guilty to theft charges and was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

That same year, a federal grand jury indicted Miller in the District.

Prosecutors can't say for certain where all the money went. Miller returned about $88,500 to early investors, whom he sometimes used to promote the business. Prosecutors know he never bought a single piece of property, and they think he lived in his office.

Even behind bars, Miller hasn't given up the con game, prosecutors said, and he has sent people correspondence on letterhead that says "From the Desk of Robert Miller Mail ID #," never mentioning that the address is the D.C. jail.

Staff researchers Meg Smith and Magda Jean-Louis contributed to this report.