Wednesday 2 November 2022 08:37 PM Scammer in $35M fraud who tried to flee to Mexico drunkenly threatened valet ... trends now
The mastermind of a $35m fraud who was caught fleeing to Mexico with a stash of gold bars once threatened a spa worker then told cops: 'I'm a billionaire... this is going to cost you.'
Justin Costello, 42, launched the bizarre rant against officers who detained him for harassing staff at the luxury spa in Washington State in 2019 - several years before his arrest on fraud charges, it has emerged.
Costello is currently in custody for allegedly tricking investors with false claims that he was a billionaire, a Harvard grad and an Iraq War vet.
Details of his earlier brush with the law have surfaced along with a cringeworthy yearbook photo from 1999 with the quote: 'It's easy to be someone you're not, but hard to be yourself.'
Costello, who is facing 25 counts of wire and securities fraud, was arrested at Salish Lodge & Spa in Snoqualmie, Washington, on September 15, 2019 after staff told police he was causing a drunken disturbance.
Justin Costello's 1999 yearbook photo included the quote: 'It's easy to be someone you're not.'
Prosecutors claim Costello tricked businesses and investors into believing he was a billionaire
He was previously arrested at the luxury Salish Lodge and Spa (piuctured) for threatening staff
An FBI SWAT team captured him fleeing to Mexico with six gold bars and stacks of cash
Police arrived at 10.30pm after staff reported ‘a drunk male in front of the business being disruptive and verbal with employees’ and ‘threatening a valet driver’.
Costello had allegedly screamed profanities, threatened his girlfriend’s sister, then grabbed the valet driver and threatened to send his ‘boys’ after the worker, according to a police report obtained by CNBC.
Staff were convinced he was a ‘billionaire from Bellevue’, a city near Seattle, and so could follow through on his threats.
His ranting continued after police arrived, when he told officers he was ‘a really rich man… a billionaire’ and ‘you messed with the wrong dude’.
Costello allegedly approached one officer with ‘clenched fists’ and ignored three warnings that he’d be tasered.
When he was eventually cuffed, Costello told police: ‘I’m going to civilly hit you in the f***ing ass.
‘This is going to cost you brother, a lot of money.
‘Bro, take these handcuffs off, so I can kick your ass. I’m going to own you, motherf***er.'
Following his arrest at the spa (pictured), Costello told cops they 'messed with the wrong guy'
Costello's FBI wanted poster after he went on the run in September following the
