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Former Westlake Investment Advisor Convicted of Stealing More Than $9.3 Million from Clients in Ponzi Scheme | USAO-NDOH

Former Westlake Investment Advisor Convicted of Stealing More Than $9.3 Million from Clients in Ponzi Scheme | USAO-NDOH

Acting U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler declared that a federal jury returned responsible verdicts today towards Defendant Raymond A. Erker, 50, of Avon, Ohio, adhering to a 7-working day demo just before U.S. District Judge Dan Polster in Cleveland.  Erker, a former investment decision advisor, was convicted of thieving additional than $9.3 million from purchasers in a Ponzi plan.

Also charged in this subject were being co-defendants Kevin Krantz, 56, and Tara M. Brunst, 47, both of those of Olmsted Falls.  The two Krantz and Brunst previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the plan and are awaiting sentencing.

According to court paperwork and evidence presented at demo, from January 2013 by way of July 2018, Erker, Krantz and Brunst conspired together to devise a scheme that stole $9,366,976.37 from at least 54 buyers.  As section of the plan, Erker marketed investments to customers that he misrepresented as annuities and senior secured notes with no chance of reduction and with a confirmed price of return. 

Courtroom documents also point out that Erker and the co-conspirators, with no the acceptance or consent of investors, diverted money to other entities that they managed and their individual financial institution accounts.  Additionally, Erker failed to disclose to customers that he maintained significant or limited ownership pursuits in firms getting investments from the scheme.  To preserve up with promised prices of return, Erker falsely represented that payments to preceding traders were premiums of return and desire when the payments had been truly new trader cash, the defining characteristic of a Ponzi plan.

To stay clear of detection, Erker and his co-defendants established up office fronts in Delaware and Nevada, contracted with contact facilities and produced false web-sites and account statements that purported to demonstrate trader account balances.

Erker was also convicted of generating a bogus statement beneath oath.  On October 9, 2019, while less than oath in the United States Individual bankruptcy Court docket for the Northern District of Ohio, Erker mentioned that he disclosed to investors that he owned the firms the investors gave him dollars to devote in, when in reality, Erker understood that assertion to be false.

Erker is scheduled to be sentenced on July 7, 2022. 

This investigation was conducted by the Ohio Office of Commerce Division of Securities, the United States Postal Inspection Assistance and the Westlake Law enforcement Division.  This scenario is currently being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Legal professional Brian McDonough and Kathryn Andrachik.

If you or a person you know is age 60 or more mature and has been a victim of fiscal fraud, help is standing by at the Nationwide Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311).  This U.S. Office of Justice hotline, managed by the Workplace for Victims of Criminal offense, is staffed by professional pros who supply customized aid to callers by evaluating the demands of the victim and identifying pertinent following actions.  Scenario supervisors will establish proper reporting companies, give details to callers to guide them in reporting, join callers straight with proper organizations, and provide sources and referrals on a scenario-by-circumstance basis.  Reporting is the initial action.  Reporting can aid authorities recognize people who dedicate fraud and reporting specific economic losses because of to fraud as quickly as feasible can maximize the probability of recovering losses.  The hotline is staffed seven times a 7 days from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. jap time. English, Spanish and other languages are available.