Business Partnership Turns Bad and Results in Fraud Investigation

Oxford, MD - On July 18, 2025, the Talbot County Sheriff's Office served a criminal summons on Anthony Guessregen, a resident of Trappe, Maryland, in connection with an ongoing investigation conducted by the Oxford Police Department (OPD) that began in June 2025. The investigation focuses on allegations of fraud and theft stemming from a business partnership dispute.

Background of the Investigation

The investigation involves a victim who entered into a 50% business partnership with Guessregen for the former Anthony's Restaurant, located on Oxford Road.

According to witness statements provided during the investigation, Guessregen allegedly referred to the victim as his "cash cow," unbeknownst to the victim, prior to the formation of the partnership.

Over a two-week period between September 22 and October 7, 2024, the victim identified multiple personal transactions conducted by Guessregen using the restaurant's business account. These transactions reportedly totaled over $10,000 and were carried out in violation of the signed partnership agreement.

During this time, the victim was also locked out of the business account, which prevented access to a $5,000 investment that was present in the account at the time.

Additionally, the victim reported that $20,000 in cash, provided to Guessregen at the signing of the partnership agreement, could not be accounted for and is considered missing.

Recent Developments

In late January 2025, the victim received a notification from the banking service's automated alert system, reporting large cash deposits made into the business account. These deposits, reportedly totaling $29,000, were made by Guessregen.

Although the victim had been removed from the business account, their contact information had not yet been removed from the bank's notification system, which alerts account holders of deposits exceeding $3,000.

Charges Filed Against Anthony Guessregen

Following the investigation, Anthony Guessregen now faces multiple charges issued by court commissioners.

These charges include:

• • CR 8 401 (a1): Fraud - Partnership Money
    • Penalty: Up to 10 years imprisonment and/or a $5,000 fine.  
  • CR 8 401 (a3): Fraud - Partnership Money
    • Penalty: Up to 10 years imprisonment and/or a $5,000 fine.  
  • CR 7 104: Theft
    • Penalty: Up to 10 years imprisonment and/or a $15,000 fine.  

Disclaimer: All individuals mentioned in this article are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.