ATLANTA — The architect of what federal prosecutors describe as the largest Ponzi scheme in Georgia’s history has admitted to a multi-year fraud that bilked more than 2,000 investors out of approximately $380 million.
Todd Burkhalter, 54, the founder and CEO of Alpharetta-based Drive Planning LLC, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. The plea concludes a federal investigation into a sprawling web of deception that targeted retirees and retail investors across the United States, including a significant concentration in Georgia and Indiana.
The Mechanics of “Drive Planning”
From September 2020 through June 2024, Burkhalter marketed fraudulent investment vehicles known as the “Real Estate Acceleration Loan” (REAL) and the “Cash Out Real Estate Fund” (CORE).
The pitch was deceptively simple: investors were promised “government-protected” returns of 10% every three months (40% annually) or 22% per year. Burkhalter told victims their money would fund short-term bridge loans for developers and was fully collateralized by real estate. In reality, the “collateral sheets” were forged, and the high-profile relationships with Atlanta developers were fabricated.
Funding a Lavish Lifestyle
As new investor funds were funneled in to pay off earlier participants—the hallmark of a Ponzi structure—Burkhalter diverted millions to finance an extravagant personal life.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, Burkhalter’s expenditures included:
- Maritime & Luxury Real Estate: A $2 million yacht and a $2.1 million luxury condominium in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
- Luxury Fleet: Approximately $800,000 on vehicles, including a 2020 Prevost Marathon motorcoach and two 2024 Land Rovers.
- Lifestyle Assets: Private jet charters, jewelry, and over $320,000 in high-end clothing and beauty treatments.
Notably, Burkhalter continued to solicit tens of millions of dollars from unsuspecting victims even after learning he was under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in March 2024.
The Aftermath: Recovering the Spoils
The collapse of Drive Planning has left many victims—ranging from bridge-loan seekers to retirees who drained their 401(k)s—facing total financial ruin.
| Key Figure | Role | Status |
| Todd Burkhalter | Founder & CEO | Pleaded guilty; sentencing pending. |
| David Bradford | Former COO | Pleaded guilty Dec. 2025; sentencing March 17, 2026. |
| The Victims | 2,000+ Investors | Recovering funds through court-appointed receivership. |
“Todd Burkhalter built a massive Ponzi scheme on lies, exploiting trust to steal hundreds of millions of dollars,” said Theodore S. Hertzberg, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. While a court-appointed receiver is currently liquidating Burkhalter’s assets, authorities warned that it is “highly unlikely” victims will see a full return of their principal investments.
Burkhalter faces a recommended sentence of 17 and a half years in federal prison. A sentencing date has yet to be set before U.S. District Judge Tiffany R. Johnson
