Myrtle Beach man indicted for fraud scheme at RV resort

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Troy Benjamin Bittner, 53, of Myrtle Beach, has been indicted by a Florence grand jury for defrauding a local resort out of nearly $1 million during the pandemic, according to the U.S. Attorney of the District of South Carolina.

The indictment alleges that Bittner, in his role as manager for Carolina Pines RV Resort in Conway, used his access to the company’s credit card reservation system to commit wire fraud, according to a news release.

According to the indictment, during the pandemic Bittner mishandled refunds for guests who canceled reservations. Instead of directing refunds to the credit cards on file, the indictment alleges Bittner issued the refunds to his own personal credit cards and received more than $800,000 in fraudulent refunds at the expense of Carolina Pines over a 26-month period.

Bittner faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison in addition to forfeiture and restitution, the U.S. Attorney said.

The case is being investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek A. Shoemake is prosecuting the case.