Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Fraud Charges

DAVENPORT, Iowa — On Monday, April 19, 2021, United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose sentenced Christopher Michael Goerdt, age 40, of Cedar Rapids, to 69 months in prison for Bank Fraud, Aggravated Identity Theft, Wire Fraud, and Misapplication by Bank Officer announced Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal. Goerdt was ordered to serve five years of supervised release to follow his prison term and pay $1,500 to the Crime Victims’ Fund. Furthermore, Goerdt was ordered to pay $1,124,343.60 in restitution to the victims of his crimes. The victims include County Bank, Peoples Trust and Savings Bank, Farm Bureau Financial Services, and Everest Insurance.

This investigation began as early as 2006 when Goerdt participated in fraudulent activities at multiple financial institutions. Goerdt obtained and used a credit card in the name of a bank for his personal use. Further, Goerdt falsified loan documents, diverted loan proceeds, altered appraisals, made false statements to investigators, and obtained loans without the knowledge of customers. The Court found the loss attributable to Goerdt for the 15 counts he pleaded to was nearly $900,000. Furthermore, Goerdt knew he was being investigated by law enforcement and continued his pattern of deception by seeking employment that would allow him to commit additional fraud at Farm Bureau Financial Services.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG). This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.