The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday, Nov. 19, edition that Flair Airlines' expansion in 2021 allegedly involved planes bought through a multimillion-dollar fraud using fake financial records, according to court documents from the U.S. Attorney in New York. The Globe's Eric Atkins writes that U.S. federal prosecutors in October charged Joshua Wander, head of 777 Partners, with four counts of fraud related to a $500-million (U.S.) plot to cheat investors. It is alleged that Mr. Wander and former chief financial officer Damien Alfalla used the money to conceal 777 Partners' financial losses. Mr. Wander, 44, also faces a civil case before the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In 2018, 777 Partners bought a 25-per-cent stake in Flair, and would go on to become the airline's major creditor. In 2024 777 Partners ended ties with Flair and was declared bankrupt. A recent grand jury indictment says Mr. Wander allegedly used fraudulently obtained funds to buy 24 Boeing 737 Max aircraft for Flair and Australian airline Bonza. Planes were bought with a $10-million (U.S.) loan backed by assets not owned by 777 Partners, which claims the loan would increase to $40-million (U.S.). The allegations are unproven.