Authorities say a Park City con man who severed his ankle bracelet and fled Utah before he could be sentenced tried to fake his own suicide and gambled away at least $400,000 while on the run.

Jeffrey F. Geddes failed to show up for his March sentencing on 56 counts of bank and wire fraud. U.S. Deputy Marshal Jim Phelps said Thursday that Geddes sent an e-mail to his attorney before the sentencing, saying he planned to kill himself in the mountains, where his body would not be found.

Instead, Geddes was found two months later at a San Diego casino. Authorities say he had grown a full beard and undergone eye surgery so he wouldn't have to wear glasses. Phelps said one person who spotted Geddes while he was on the lam

said the fugitive lost $400,000 gambling in one day.

Geddes, 39, was to serve 10 years in prison under a plea bargain in connection with a $30 million fraud. But another five years could be tacked on to his term if he is charged with failure to appear in court. Geddes was ordered Thursday to remain in jail pending sentencing.

According to a federal indictment, Geddes received a $30 million line of credit from Zions Bank by falsely representing that a company he owned was supplying stone tile to Home Depot. The credit line was intended to support working capital for Adagio Stone and other related companies.

Instead, investigators allege they found Geddes in possession of $23 million in personal and real property,

including a $10 million Park City home; $4 million in jewelry; and several luxury cars, including a Porsche, a Ferrari and a Lamborghini.

As part of his plea deal, Geddes agreed to pay $35,401 to Zions Bank, the amount the financial institution was still owed on his loan, and $7,135,632 to a Washington state man who had pledged collateral for increases in his credit line.

pmanson@sltrib.com