Rochester Hills, MI - An Oakland County man accused of stealing deposits from prospective business owners after their deals failed will go to trial, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Thursday, September 1, 2022.
A preliminary exam for Denny DiCapo, 62, of Rochester Hills, was held before Judge Nicholson in Oakland County’s 52-3 District Court. An additional charge of larceny was added after another victim came forward following news of the initial six charges by the Department of Attorney General. Dicapo was bound over on the following charges:
- six counts of larceny by conversion, $1,000 to $20,000, five-year felonies; and
- one count conducting a criminal enterprise, a 20-year felony.
The Department alleges DiCapo used his now-dissolved corporations, Biz Capital Brokerage, Inc. and Energy Acquisition Specialist, Inc., to scam seven victims out of $26,000 in refundable good-faith deposits for the purchases of businesses after identifying himself as a business broker and listing agent for restaurants, a gas station, an automobile service center, and a jewelry/pawn store. DiCapo allegedly persuaded victims to pay him refundable good-faith deposits in order to purchase these businesses, which was also documented in contracts, but then took the money when the deals fell through.
“I will fight for residents who are cheated out of their hard-earned money,” said Nessel. “My department’s Financial Crimes Division will pursue those who exploit victims to the fullest extent of the law.”
DiCapo’s bond was set at $100,000 cash and he must obtain a GPS tether if he is released from the Oakland County Jail. Arraignment in circuit court is scheduled for September 19 before Judge Rowe in Oakland County.