$102 Million Ponzi Scheme Charged By SEC
On June 19, 2018, The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filed charges and obtained an asset freeze against the individuals and companies behind a $102 million Ponzi scheme that deceived investors throughout the U.S.
According to the SEC’s complaint, the defendants cheated more than 600 investors through sales of securities in issuers they controlled, including First Nationle Solution LLC, United RL Capital Services, and Percipience Global Corp. The complaint alleges that investors were lied to that their funds would be used for the companies and some were guaranteed dividends or double-digit returns. But, according to the complaint, the defendants spent at least $20 million to enrich themselves, paid $38.5 million in Ponzi-like payments, and transferred much of the remainder in transactions that appear unrelated to the issuers’ purported businesses. The complaint charges Perry Santillo, of Rochester, New York, Christopher Parris, also of Rochester, Paul LaRocco, of Ocala, Florida, John Piccarreto, of San Antonio, and Thomas Brenner, of Orville, Ohio, along with the three companies.
“We allege that the defendants engaged in a massive fraud and swindled investors to line their pockets with ill-gotten gains. Investors should be on high alert whenever they are promised guaranteed returns.” said Marc P. Berger, Director of the SEC’s New York Office.
The SEC’s complaint, filed in federal district court in Manhattan, charges Santillo, Parris, LaRocco, Piccarreto, Brenner, and the three issuers with violating the anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws. The court granted the SEC’s request for an asset freeze and a temporary restraining order. The court will hold a hearing concerning the asset freeze and will consider ordering a preliminary injunction.
The SEC encourages investors to check out the background of their investment professional by using the free and simple search tool on http://Investor.gov. Investors should be cautious of investment professionals with a history of misconduct, including disciplinary actions by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA.
For further information about this securities law blog post, please contact Brenda Hamilton, Securities Attorney at 101 Plaza Real S, Suite 202 N, Boca Raton, Florida, (561) 416-8956 or by email at [email protected]. This securities law blog post is provided as a general informational service to clients and friends of Hamilton & Associates Law Group and should not be construed as, and does not constitute, legal and compliance advice on any specific matter, nor does this message create an attorney-client relationship. Please note that the prior results discussed herein do not guarantee similar outcomes.
