CLEVELAND — A Northeast Ohio businessman at the center of an exclusive 5 On Your Side investigation plead guilty in federal court Thursday after being charged with defrauding churches, daycare centers and non-profits across the country.
Cameron Hardin promised to build expensive playgrounds systems for clients but failed to deliver. He struck a plea deal with federal prosecutors following our investigation which uncovered how Hardin defrauded at least 15 clients to the tune of $704,174.73.
Hardin appeared before U.S. District Judge Dan Aaron Polster where he plead guilty to one countof mail fraud that can carry up to 20 years in prison but is expected to be 31 months under the plea agreement reached with federal prosecutors. Sentencing is scheduled for August 29. The judge has also ordered Hardin to pay restitution to his victims in the case.
