The Securities and Exchange Commission charged Larry Dearman Sr, an investment advisor working for Focus Group Advisors, with defrauding dozens of investors between 2008 and 2012. They say that many victims entrusted him with their savings because of his affiliation with a small town Oklahoma church. According to published reports, Dearman at one time served […]
In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash
by Brian Mahany The headline in the Palm Beach Post says it all, “Ex Delray Beach Commissioner ‘Used God’s Name’ In Alleged $1.8 Million Ponzi Scheme.” Stories like this are far too common; fraudster’s using the Church or religious affiliations to steal from innocent victims. What makes this case so unusual is the age and […]
Victim Assaults Ponzi Scheme Promoter
by Brian Mahany Losing one’s life savings to a Ponzi scheme promoter would be devastating to anyone. We often see courtroom footage of victim’s families attacking defendants at sentencing hearings when emotions are the highest. Usually these assaults occur in connection with a homicide or sex crime. In Longwood, Florida it was the victim of […]
Hall Of Famer Coach Implicated In Affinity Fraud Ponzi Scheme
by Brian Mahany Fraud is so prevalent these days. We could write a dozen stories a day, half just from press releases coming from the SEC. The cases that are particularly depressing involve affinity fraud – investment schemes that prey upon members of close knit groups or communities. We have seen many such cases involving […]