777 Partners Co-Founder Charged Over Fraudulent 737 MAX Financing Scheme
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US federal prosecutors have charged Joshua Wander, co-founder of Miami-based investment firm 777 Partners, alleging he orchestrated a years-long scheme to secure hundreds of millions of dollars in financing for Boeing 737 MAX aircraft the company didn’t actually own or have the resources to pay for.
According to the indictment, Wander misled private lenders and investors by pledging aircraft and other assets that either belonged to third parties or did not exist, and by directing staff to alter financial documents to make 777 Partners appear more creditworthy. Prosecutors say the firm ultimately raised more than $500 million through these misrepresentations.
How aircraft orders were involved
Between 2021 and 2022, entities tied to 777 Partners signed agreements covering up to 134 Boeing 737 MAX jets. Only 38 of those ultimately became firm orders, with most delivered in 2021–2022 and a further six arriving in 2023. The expanded order pipeline, prosecutors allege, was used to justify ongoing borrowing — even as internal finance staff warned that 777 Partners didn’t have the cash to meet its obligations.
Fallout across 777’s airline portfolio
777 Partners was the backer of two low-cost carriers:
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Flair Airlines (Canada): faced aircraft repossessions after payment disputes with lessors, hurting operations.
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Bonza (Australia): attempted to build a network of underserved domestic routes but collapsed after just over a year, once aircraft were pulled from service.
The indictment suggests that shortfalls at the holding level contributed to these operational crises, as aircraft financing unraveled.
Alleged misuse of investor funds
Regulators say 777 Partners raised around $237 million through equity offerings and that part of that money was diverted to Wander and fellow co-founder Stephen Pasko. At least one internal memo from the firm’s chief financial officer reportedly warned that 777 Partners needed $300 million+ simply to cover existing commitments — a gap prosecutors say was papered over with falsified or edited financial statements.
Broader implications
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Lenders are understood to be exposed for hundreds of millions of dollars after 777 Partners’ 2025 bankruptcy.
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Lessors and airline partners are likely to continue legal action to recover aircraft or unpaid fees.
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The case highlights how aggressive aircraft-order announcements — especially by investment-backed start-ups — can mask fragile underlying financing.
Wander now faces wire and securities fraud charges, as well as a separate civil action.
