CEO of Private Jet Charter Company Convicted of Bankruptcy Fraud

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal judge convicted a Reston businessman yesterday on a series of fraud charges relating to a bankruptcy case in which he discharged over $6 million in personal debt.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, on July 13, 2017, President and CEO of Metropolitan Aviation, Alan Russell Cook, Sr., 64, filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy in his individual capacity. In anticipation of the filing, Cook transferred over $350,000 to his former girlfriend. He directed her to open accounts in her name and in the name of a fake company, Metro Aire, to receive his personal property and revenue from Metropolitan Aviation.

In connection with his bankruptcy case, Cook failed to disclose several bank accounts and over $50,000 in casino cash-outs. In addition, at the meeting of his creditors, Cook made several false statements under oath, including that his company was shut down for four to five months and generated no money in 2017. In actuality, Metropolitan Aviation generated revenue every month of 2017, totaling more than $1 million. Cook further failed to disclose making payments for his girlfriend’s luxury vehicle and his access to the fraudulent entity’s bank account, including writing checks for personal expenses, withdrawing cash, and paying for hotel stays.

Cook faces a maximum of 20 years in prison when sentenced on April 22, 2022. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Greg Thompson, Mid-Atlantic Region Acting Special Agent-In-Charge, U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton accepted the verdict.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jamar K. Walker and Alexander E. Blanchard are prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:21-cr-72.