Former HGTV star Charles “Todd” Hill was sentenced to four years in prison on Tuesday by Santa Clara County prosecutors and ordered to repay nearly $10 million for defrauding 11 individuals. Hill, the 58-year-old former host of “Flip It to Win It,” was taken into custody immediately after the sentencing, as confirmed by the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.
On his TV show, Hill’s strategy involved purchasing rundown properties, renovating them, and selling them at a profit. However, he misappropriated millions on excessively priced renovations, laundered the proceeds, and embezzled substantial amounts of money through fraudulent activities.
After a countywide investigation initiated in November 2019, Hill was found guilty of multiple fraud schemes and grand theft involving several victims. He acknowledged the severity of his white-collar crimes and was consequently ordered to pay over $9.4 million in restitution and to undergo 10 years of probation.
Investigations revealed Hill’s extravagant expenditures, including money spent on a leased apartment in San Francisco, luxury hotels, vacations, and high-end vehicles. Furthermore, he was found to have misused construction funds for personal expenses.
Prosecutors described Hill’s fraudulent activities as a Ponzi scheme, where he used investor money intended for home purchases to finance his opulent lifestyle. He concealed his criminal activities by falsifying balance sheets and securing loans with fraudulent information.
One investor, who had contributed $250,000 for remodeling, discovered the property to be almost worthless upon inspection, as per the District Attorney’s Office.
Victims of Hill’s fraudulent actions have reported ongoing financial and professional repercussions.
District Attorney Jeff Rosen remarked, “Some view the substantial sums involved in Silicon Valley real estate as a business opportunity. Sadly, others see it as a chance for criminal exploitation. We are committed to rigorously prosecuting such individuals.”