Former Sarasota, FL, fund manager pleads guilty to a $162 million Ponzi scheme

February 25th, 2010 - 4:12 am ICT by BNO News  

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) – Former Hedge fund manager, of Sarasota, Florida, pleaded guilty to fifteen counts of securities fraud, mail fraud, and wire fraud, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara announced on Wednesday.

Arthur G. Nadel, 77, planned and executed a Ponzi scheme to defraud investors in six different investment funds causing $162 million in losses. From 1999 to January 2009, Nadel persuaded people to invest their retirement money in the funds claiming that they will receive double-digit yearly returns.

In reality, Nadel stole investor money to support his lifestyle and several businesses. To support his claims, Nadel created false documents that confirmed his fictitious positive returns. Nearly 250 people invested more than $397 million in the funds. As a result the investors lost approximately $162 million.

“Arthur Nadel cheated his victims out of hundreds of millions of dollars of their retirement money and savings by lying to them over and over again and claiming false returns and profits. Many of the victims were elderly and retired and relied on the money that they invested in Nadel’s funds,” U.S. Attorney Bharara said.

Nadel faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each count and a fine of $5 million or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. His sentence is scheduled for June 11.

Related Stories

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted in Business |

Subscribe