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Stanford Ponzi Scheme Case Finally Concluded After 16 Years 

After sixteen years Allen Stanford’s victims waited for justice when the SEC settled its lawsuit regarding his $7.2 billion Ponzi scheme by demanding significant penalties but failed to compensate victims fully. 

United States: The 16-year fight between the SEC and Allen Stanford regarding a $7.2 billion Ponzi scheme concluded officially through a federal court order. Judge David Godbey sentenced Allen Stanford to pay $5.9 billion in civil penalties although the convicted fraudster has been serving a 110-year sentence since 2012 for defrauding 18,000 investors, as reported by Reuters

Former Associates Face Fines for Their Role in the Scheme

All accused individuals who worked at Stanford Financial Group faced financial penalties from courts. James Davis faced court-ordered payments totaling $17.66 million while a $5 million fine was one of the financial penalties imposed upon him. The scheme brought forward Gilberto Lopez to repay court-ordered fines of $3.42 million because of his participation. 

How Stanford’s Fraudulent Scheme Operated 

For twenty years Stanford executed his fraudulent operation through a fake bank which operated in Antigua. Through the fraudulent scheme Stanford sold counterfeit certificates of deposit to investors using stolen funds to accomplish high-risk investments along with financing his extravagant lifestyle. 

Court Appointed Receiver  

As court receiver Ralph Janvey recovered $2.5 billion from fraudulent activities he could repay part of the debt to investors who had been defrauded. A significant return of $1.2 billion went to Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD.TO) to help pay off billions in debt from Stanford’s entities. 

Case Finally Concluded After More Than 16 Years of Litigation 

Judge Godbey ruled there were no further reasons to delay the payment order, finalizing the case after over 16 years of legal proceedings. Despite Stanford’s indigent status, which was granted by the court in 2010, his release from prison is prohibited until he reaches the age of 74 in 2103. 

SEC’s Pursuit of Justice Following Madoff’s Scheme 

The SEC filed its lawsuit against Stanford in February 2009, shortly after Bernard Madoff’s much larger Ponzi scheme was uncovered. Stanford’s case, though smaller in scope, remains one of the largest financial frauds in U.S. history, as reported by Reuters. 

Davis and Lopez, who were both involved in Stanford’s scheme, did not respond to interview requests from the media. The SEC has also declined to make a public statement regarding the resolution of the case. 

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