JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — A Florida man has been sentenced to over six years in federal prison for his role in a multi-million-dollar rental property scam that targeted out-of-state investors in Western Pennsylvania.
Paul Andrew Gulbronson, 59, of Hudson, Florida, was sentenced to 78 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after being convicted of wire fraud conspiracy, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti.
Gulbronson and his wife, Kelly Bonilla, operated Citrona Homes from 2017 to 2019. The couple advertised “fully renovated” homes in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, claiming they were occupied by Section 8 tenants and managed by Citrona. Many investors, lured by promises of rental income, were located out of state.
However, prosecutors say the scheme was a fraudulent operation. Citrona Homes purchased over 100 distressed properties and empty lots for about $2 million, then flipped them to investors for more than $6 million. Many of the properties were uninhabitable or simply vacant land, and investors never saw the returns they were promised.
In total, victims lost approximately $5 million.
Gulbronson fled the country after learning he was under investigation but was eventually apprehended and brought to justice.
His wife and co-conspirator, Kelly Bonilla, remains a fugitive in Panama, Rivetti confirmed.
