SEC Busts $62 Million "Man Camp" North Dakota Ponzi Scheme

The Securities and Exchange Commission filed civil fraud charges against a North Dakota company and two of its principals, alleging that the company raised at least $62 million in a Ponzi scheme - likely the largest ever in North Dakota - that promised lucrative returns through the development of "man camps" that served as temporary housing for oil field workers.  North Dakota Developments, LLC, along with Robert Gavin and Daniel Hogan, were charged with multiple violations of federal securities laws in an action filed in North Dakota district court.  The Commission is seeking injunctive relief, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains, and civil monetary penalties.  

Gavin is an 80% owner of NDD and resides in Malaysia, while Hogan was a 20% owner of NDD who resided in the United Kingdom.  Beginning in May 2012, NDD began marketing the sale of interests in several temporary housing projects located in North Dakota and Montana that would house oil field workers in the Bakken oil field region.  These investments were marketed through NDD's website, www.nddgroup.com, as well as print and online advertisements, seminars, conference calls, and flyers.  In addition, NDD utilized agents who were paid commissions for the successful recruitment of new investors.  Potential investors were offered the ability to purchase "units" in NDD's projects that would yield impressive returns as a result of NDD's purported development and management.  

For example, one project known as Watford West was advertised as a modular housing unit on State Road 85 in Arnegard, North Dakota.  Watford West was sold in three phases beginning in May 2012, and a brochure distributed to potential investors advertised projected first year income of 36% to 42%.  NDD  further estimated that investors would average returns of 48% - 56% over the following ten years, and also offered investors the option of a 23.5% guaranteed investment return.  A purchase price for each "unit" varied, but typically ranged from $50,000 to $90,000.  While investors were given the option of managing their own "unit," doing so resulted in a required $24,000 lease "payment" to NDD.  Not surprisingly, every investor gave NDD responsibility for managing their units.  In total, NDD raised at least $62 million from hundreds of investors from both the US and foreign countries.  

However, the "man camps" did not experience the success or performance represented by NDD.  For example, the Commission alleges that the Defendants knew by late 2013 that the Waterford West project was suffering significant delays and would not be as profitable as previously promised.  Other projects have experienced similar issues, with each having varying levels of inoperability - including one that has twice been denied approval by local authorities.  Recently, Waterford West had occupancy of approximately 30% with average nightly rates of $80 - well below what was promised investors.  Yet, despite learning of these delays, the Commission alleged that the Defendants continued to make promises of lucrative first-year returns. 

Despite the significant funds raised from investors, the Commission claims that less than $100,000 remained in NDD's operating account in early 2015 as a result of Gavin and Hogan's significant misappropriation of investor funds.  This includes nearly $2 million in investor funds used to fund an unrelated oil-and-gas project, $5.5 million for the unrelated purchase of several real estate parcels, $500,000 to fund an unrelated engineering project, and over $3 million for the men's personal expenses.  Further, more than $10 million is alleged to have been paid in undisclosed commissions to agents for recruiting new investors - a total that amounts to nearly 20% of all funds raised.  The Commission also alleges that millions of dollars in new investor funds were used to pay returns to existing investors in Ponzi-like fashion.

The Complaint indicates that Defendants have stopped paying returns to investors due to the unprofitability of Watford West and the lack of available funds.

According to Ponzitracker's Ponzi Scheme Database, the scheme is just the third Ponzi scheme to be discovered in North Dakota since 2008.  Given the size of the scheme, it is likely the largest financial fraud in North Dakota's history.

The Commission's Complaint is below:

Complaint Nd

Rothstein Ally Gets Sentence Reduction; Is Rothstein Up Next?

A disbarred lawyer serving a five-year prison term for his role in Scott Rothstein's massive $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme had his sentence decreased by nearly two years as a result of the substantial assistance he provided to federal prosecutors that led to the convictions of three other individuals linked to Rothstein's fraud.  Douglas Bates, 56, previously pleaded guilty to a wire fraud conspiracy charge on the eve of trial and just after another lawyer linked to Rothstein's scheme was convicted of similar charges at trial.  Prosecutors, citing the substantial assistance Bates provided that led to the conviction of two police officers and Rothstein's former law partner, filed a motion seeking the reduction that was granted by U.S. District Judge Donald Middlebrooks. With this marking the first government-requested sentence reduction following the conviction of dozens of Rothstein associates, the question now becomes when (and if) such a request will be made for Rothstein himself, who famously began cooperating with prosecutors days after he surrendered to authorities in late 2009.  

Background

Beginning as early as 2005, Rothstein promised lucrative returns to potential investors through investments in highly confidential legal settlements purportedly emanating from sexual harassment, whistle-blower, and qui tam actions against large corporations.   According to Rothstein, while the alleged settling defendant had already deposited the settlement funds with Rothstein’s firm, an investor could “purchase” the right to payment of that settlement at a discount.  Investors were sworn to secrecy, and Rothstein and his law firm became well-known in Ft. Lauderdale. All told, the scheme raised over $1 billion from investors, with Rothstein spending freely on lavish houses, exquisite cars, and fine jewelry.  After the scheme collapsed in late 2009, Rothstein first fled to Morocco before returning to surrender to authorities.  He later pleaded guilty was was sentenced to a 50-year prison term.  

Rothstein's 'Extraordinary' Cooperation

While much has come to light of Rothstein's lavish lifestyle prior to the scheme's collapse, his actions and whereabouts following his arrest have been shrouded in secrecy following reports he was extensively cooperating with authorities to implicate others involved in his scheme.  Indeed, it is likely Rothstein realized that he would not live out the entirety of his 50-year prison sentence.  It was later revealed that Rothstein is a member of the federal witness protection program, and his only public sightings since his arrest have come in court or at court-ordered depositions. While details have been scant as to the substance of his cooperation, prosecutors have characterized Rothstein's assistance as "extraordinary" as they have obtained the convictions of nearly three dozen individuals linked to the fraud.  On the civil side, a court-appointed bankruptcy trustee has successfully recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for Rothstein's victims - a recovery that has resulted in the unprecedented 100% return of investor losses. While reports are conflicting as to Rothstein's role in that result, ironically it was Rothstein's role with a TDBank employee that resulted in a large portion of the eventual recoveries.

Is A Reduction In Rothstein's Sentence Forthcoming?

Rothstein has been quite clear that his extensive cooperation has not been entirely for altruistic reasons. This is illustrated by the following exchange which took place during a 2011 deposition:

Q: Good answer. So, you hope that that's what is going to happen, but other than that no promises by the government or anybody?

A:  I'm hopeful at the end of all this, the government will see fit to ask Judge Cohn to reduce my sentence. There's no promise made to me.

- Scott Rothstein 2011 deposition testimony

Rule 35 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure governs the correction and reduction of a federal criminal sentence.  Subsection (b) provides that,

(1) In General. Upon the government's motion made within one year of sentencing, the court may reduce a sentence if the defendant, after sentencing, provided substantial assistance in investigating or prosecuting another person.

On the day before the first anniversary of Rothstein's sentence, prosecutors filed a Motion for Reduction of Sentence and Stay of Ruling.  The Motion stated that Rothstein's cooperation, which had begun before he entered his guilty plea, was ongoing and would not be complete until a future time.  Upon the completion of Rothstein's cooperation, the Motion indicated that a subsequent motion would be filed requesting a hearing at which Rothstein's nature, extent, and value of such cooperation would be detailed.

Fast forward four years.  During that time period, prosecutors have strung together an impressive (and undefeated) string of convictions for those who played various roles in Rothstein's fraud, including lawyers from Rothstein's firm, accountants and bookkeepers, and even Rothstein's family members.  Together, those convictions have resulted in over 60 years of prison sentences.  

Rothstein received his 50-year sentence in June 2010 - a sentence that was 10 years longer than the term requested by prosecutors.  Thus, he has served nearly 5 years of his sentence to date.  While any reduction would be at the sole discretion of prosecutors, Rothstein could be out of prison at the ripe age of 76 assuming that he receives a deal similar to that given to Doug Bates.  While Bates received a 33% reduction in his sentence for his cooperation, it is likely that many other considerations will factor into any reduction proposed for Rothstein.  While it certainly benefits prosecutors to encourage defendants to cooperate with the government, the breadth of Rothstein's fraud - his Ponzi scheme was one of the largest ever and was the largest in Florida's history - as well as the potential resulting public outcry may give pause to some before recommending a reduction that could allow Rothstein to emerge a free man one day.  

While prosecutors timely filed the Rule 35 motion, a hearing and subsequent ruling has been delayed while prosecutors determine the extent of Rothstein's cooperation.  Given the undeniable success prosecutors have achieved, of which a substantial portion is likely due to Rothstein's cooperation, it is likely that Rothstein's cooperation has amounted to the "substantial assistance" required under the statute.  With only a few active prosecutions remaining, it is likely that prosecutors have charged most if not all of the potential targets related to Rothstein's scheme.  This includes the prosecution of former TD Bank Vice President Frank Spinosa, at which Rothstein might be required to testify.

Notably, Rothstein himself has acknowledged that any chance for reduction is far from certain given a well-reported hiccup in his cooperation.  Rothstein is referring to his wife's arrest and subsequent prison sentence for concealing assets from authorities, including a large jewelry collection that included a 12-carat diamond ring.  Rothstein later admitted that he had been less than forthcoming with authorities about those assets.  It remains to be seen whether authorities will be willing to forgive that transgression in light of Rothstein's otherwise significant cooperation.

Previous Ponzitracker coverage of the Rothstein scheme is here.

North Carolina Man Charged With $2 Million Forex Ponzi Scheme

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission filed civil fraud charges against a North Carolina man, accusing him of operating a foreign exchange trading Ponzi scheme that took in over $2 million from at least two dozen investors.  Barry C. Taylor, along with his companies OTC Investments LLC and Foreign Currency Trade Advisors, LLC, was charged with multiple violations of the Commodity Exchange Act.  The CFTC is seeking injunctive relief, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains, restitution to defrauded victims, an accounting of funds, and civil monetary penalties.  

The CFTC's complaint alleges that Taylor solicited potential investors with the promise that their funds would be used for foreign exchange trading that generated a guaranteed minimum monthly return of at least 2%.  Investors were assured that Taylor would only receive "administrative fees and commissions" from any amount exceeding the 2% profits paid out to investors, and Taylor guaranteed that investors could not sustain a loss higher than 15% without the automatic cessation of trading.  In total, Taylor and his companies took in nearly $2.5 million from at least 24 investors.

After a participant requested a redemption of their investment in late 2014, Taylor sent an email to several investors indicating that the recent foreign currency market swings had resulted in the suspension in trading of their funds.  Taylor further indicated that he hoped to begin trading the following week.  However, the CFTC alleged that these claims were false, as Taylor's accounts had already been frozen at one currency trading firm prior to the events in the currency market while he continued to trade at another currency trading firm.  The CFTC also alleged that Taylor's promises of guaranteed 2% profits were in stark contrast to actual trading losses suffered of nearly $500,000 as of January 2015.  Taylor allegedly used participant funds for his own personal expenses, including the purchase of real estate, luxury watches, entertainment, and living expenses. Despite the alleged trading losses and diversion of investor funds for personal expenses, Taylor allegedly used investor funds to make interest payments to existing investors in Ponzi-like fashion to add to the scheme's legitimacy.  

Interestingly, while the CFTC's complaint pinpoints the beginning of Taylor's scheme as no later than August 2011, an interesting internet forum post suggests that the scheme may have started at least a year earlier.  The aptly-named Scam.com, which provides a centralized forum for posters to trade notes over various scams du jour, contains a post with an initial post on September 19, 2010 stating that:

I invested 10,000.00 with Mr. Taylor over a year ago to invest in the forex market. I was told that it had gained about 10% in 6 months. I requested my funds and it was supposed to take 60 days to get them. I was then told the balance had lost 50%. It has now been 9 months and i have gotten 25% of my money and a whole lot of broken promises. I never got any documentation and suspect that I was a victim of a ponzi scheme.

Interesting, a later post in January 2011 from BCTAYLOR - which seems to be an abbreviation for Barry C. Taylor - claims that:

In the first place the money was never invested with me personally. It went into a fund that I was one of 5 traders. In addition, the poster reached a settlement with the fund months ago and has received 80% of the settlement. The balance will be paid once this post has been removed. This should never have been posted against me individually.The CFTC's complaint is below:

Despite subsequent questions for information from BCTAYLOR, that was his first and last post.  The original poster later posted (in quotes) that:

"There were informational errors unknown to me when I posted the previous report and I am withdrawing my complaint at this time! I have received the information I requested and reached an agreement with the company. Mr. Taylor was only the trader and my contact with the company. I realize that the forex market is erratic and proifts come and go quickly. Anyone investing in the forex market should be aware that their capital is at risk and subject to be lost."

A copy of the CFTC's Complaint is below:

Enf Otc Complaint 042115

100% Recovery Possible For Victims Of $220 Million Ponzi Scheme

Hundreds of victims of a massive $220 million Utah Ponzi scheme may soon become part of an extremely rare group of Ponzi victims who were able to recover 100% of their principal losses.  Gil Miller, the court-appointed receiver over Management Solutions, recently obtained court approval for a proposed distribution plan that contemplates a "reasonable possibility" that all investors will realize a 100% recovery of their experienced losses.  Perhaps ironically, the occurrence - sometimes called the 'holy grail' of Ponzi scheme jurisprudence - will be possible only because the alleged masterminds of the scheme agreed to forfeit their 51% interest in Management Solutions as a condition of settlement.  

Background

The Commission brought charges against Management Solutions and its operators, Wendell Jacobson and his son Allen Jacobson, in December 2011, alleging that the company had been operating a Ponzi scheme since at least 2008 through the purported offering of 5% to 8% annual returns through the renovation and resale of apartment complexes throughout the country.  Potential investors were told that the company purchased apartment complexes with low occupancy rates at a deep discount, that their underlying principal investment was safe, and that they could expect to receive monthly interest payments.  Co-owner Wendell Jacobson represented to investors that Management Solutions had achieved historic returns of 12% to 15%, and that only one apartment investment had failed to return a profit - in which case Jacobson covered the loss personally so that investor returns would remain unchanged.  Additionally, Management Solutions represented that, even during its worst performing years, investors had still enjoyed annual returns of approximately 13%.  Based on these misrepresentations, the company raised over $200 million from 225 investors.  

The Jacobsons were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which the SEC alleges they exploited to solicit additional investors.  However, rather than use investor funds for their stated purpose, investments were almost immediately diverted to one of several collecting accounts, where funds were commingled with other investor funds.  Investor returns were paid from new investor funds - a classic hallmark of a Ponzi scheme.  According to the SEC's complaint, as of December 31, 2010, one of the collecting accounts had outstanding debts to investors and other LLC's of approximately $103 million.  However, the current balance of that account was under $200,000.  

Proposed Distribution Plan

The largest asset class held by Management Solutions was its significant real estate holdings, which largely consisted of apartment complexes.  The real estate was heavily encumbered by mortgages and its value suffered greatly during the economic slowdown, which was likely a significant factor contributing to the mounting losses.  However, a resurgent real estate market has boosted property values accordingly.  Last year, the receivership court approved the sale of several dozen apartment complexes owned by Management Solutions for nearly $340 million.  

The Receiver hopes to make an initial distribution of roughly $100 million to defrauded victims, while an additional $31 million will be available at a later date.  The outcome is possible by (1) accounting for payments received by investors in the form of interest or other distributions, and (2) the use of a rising tide investment method, which seeks to ensure that investors that received little or no distributions are paid before those who were fortunate enough to receive more significant distributions.  The rising tide method will be followed until all investors recoup 100% of their approved losses.

Twists and Turns

The case has not been without its share of twists and turns along the way.  Miller took over as receiver approximately one year ago from previous receiver John Beckstead, who resigned to serve a mission for the Mormon Church.  Beckstead had faced mounting pushback from Management Solutions investors, including strong opposition to a previous liquidation plan that would have ultimately resulted in a recovery of approximately 50% to investors.  That plan was ultimately shelved by Beckstead, and Miller took over as receiver shortly thereafter.  

An Elite Class

Management Solutions joins just two other schemes in recent memory to accomplish the feat of fully repaying defrauded Ponzi victims: Scott Rothstein's $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme and David Dadante's $58 million scheme.  Such an outcome is extremely rare, as it is estimated that the average investor recovery from a Ponzi scheme is less than 10%.  

As illustrated by the dearth of schemes that have achieved such a result, a valuable asset or recovery source has been the driving force for the recovery in each scheme.  In Rothstein's scheme, the Trustee was able to bridge the shortfall between recoveries and losses through a contribution from TD Bank, which was ultimately tagged for hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for the alleged involvement of its regional vice president with Rothstein.  In the aftermath of Dadante's scheme, the receiver was able to strategically manage and later sell a large chunk of stock that resulted in a windfall to the victims and ultimately resulted in a "bonus" payment to the receiver for his success.  And in Management Solutions, the decision to hold onto the real estate assets at the center of the scheme, as well as the Jacobson's agreement to surrender their 51% interest, ultimately allowed the receiver to recoup enough funds to fully repay investors.

Ponzitracker's list of top Ponzi scheme recoveries is here.

A copy of the Amended Motion for Approval of Plan Distribution is below:

2015 03 27 Amended Motion for Approval of Plan of Distribution

'Appalled' Judge Rejects Plea Deal In Erectile Dynfunction Ponzi Scheme

In an unexpected move, a California state judge refused to accept a plea deal that would send a California man to prison for seven years for defrauding dozens of victims in a $1 million Ponzi scheme, and instead indicated that the accused could agree to a 12-year prison sentence or choose to stand trial.  Dennis Long, who was accused of operating a Ponzi scheme that targeted some victims at Bible studies and children's sporting events, had entered into an agreement with prosecutors that called for him to receive a sentence not exceeding seven years.  However, Superior Court Judge Michael Popkins was swayed by the stories of dozens of victims who testified at Long's sentencing hearing, calling Long's conduct "appalling" and likening him to a wolf in sheep's clothing.  Judge Popkins indicated that Long had the choice of accepting a 12-year sentence - of which Long would serve approximately half - or to proceed to trial on the charges.

Long, a former store clerk at an Encinitas Target, told dozens of investors that he could deliver handsome returns though investments in his erectile-dysfunction business that was on the verge of being purchased by a larger company for $4 million.  Long touted his company, CDCDA, to potential investors he encountered at a church Bible study, at his daughter's school and volleyball clubs, and to mutual friends.  Investors were shown a letter on an attorney's letterhead to assure them of the scheme's legitimacy, and were required to sign confidentiality agreements to prevent them from discussing the investment with others.  In total, Long raised over $1 million from several dozen investors over almost a decade.

However, there was no impending sale of CDCDA nor was there an attorney vouching for the company's legitimacy.  CDCDA's license had been permanently revoked, and the attorney whose letterhead was used to legitimize the company has claimed that his signature was forged.  Authorities alleged that Long used investor funds for a variety of unauthorized personal expenses, including private school, car payments, travel, and extensive shopping trips.  Long was arrested in April 2014 on 69 counts of grand theft, burglary, fraud, and other charges.  

The burglary charge appears to be favored by prosecutors due to the California Penal Code's definition of burglary as the entry into a structure with the intent to commit a felony - in this case, grand theft. While the theory is certainly a novel one, surprisingly it has been used several times in California.  A California man faced burglary charges in March 2014 for operating an alleged ATM Ponzi scheme, while another California man faced 37 counts of residential burglary in 2009 in connection with what prosecutors alleged was a $200 million Ponzi scheme. The choice by California authorities to levy burglary charges in white collar crimes may also be partially due to its categorization as a serious "strike" crime under California's Three Strikes Law, which may allow for a stricter sentence.

A hearing has been scheduled for May 12 to allow Long to consult with his attorneys about the proposed plea deal.