Miami Resident Sentenced to 2.5 Years in Prison in Investment Fraud Case
According to a report from Bloomberg Law News, Jack Connor Ridall, 29, has been sentenced to serve 30 months in prison in a securities fraud case. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida contends that Mr. Ridall defrauded investors out of nearly $750,000. Mr. Ridall pleaded guilty to a wire fraud charge late last year. Within this article, our Miami securities fraud attorney discusses the allegations raised against the defendant.
An Overview of the Securities Fraud Scheme
Jack Connor Ridall, a 29-year-old from Miami Florida, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for operating an investment fraud scheme through his companies. Notably, there were three different companies that were owned and controlled by Mr. Ridall that were cited in the complaint:
- Stratcapital LLC;
- Guss Capital, LLC; and
- Guss Actium Manager, LLC.
Prosecutors determined that Mr. Ridall deceitfully raised about $735,000 by making false promises about his investing experience, the intended use of funds, and the security of investments. Instead of investing the funds, he misused them for personal expenses.
Guss Capital Was the Primary Company Used to Raise Funds from Investors
The SEC notes that Guss Capital was the primary company that Jack Ridall used to fraudulently raise funds from investors. The fund began soliciting investment in December of 2020. Investors were given false information about the past performance of Mr. Ridall. For example, fraudulent documents showed that Mr. Ridall increased the value of a previous fund from $250,000 to over $100 million. No such gains ever occurred. In reality, the SEC contends that around 75 percent of investor funds were merely siphoned off by Mr. Ridall.
The Conviction: Wire Fraud
Jack Connor Ridall has been convicted of a federal wire fraud offense. Wire fraud is a criminal act involving the use of telecommunications or the internet to defraud individuals, groups, or entities of money or valuables by means of false representations or promises. It is characterized by the intent to deceive others for financial gain, utilizing means of electronic communication to facilitate or execute the fraud. It is a criminal charge that could potentially be brought in a securities fraud case.
Investors Have the Right to Take Civil Action to Recoup Losses
When investment fraud occurs, there may or may not be criminal liability. Regardless of any criminal case, investors who have been defrauded have the right to take civil legal action to seek compensation for their damages. What exactly this entails will depend, in large part, on the specific circumstances of the case. A civil investment fraud claim is ultimately a resource to hold responsible parties accountable for the damage that they caused.
Consult With a Miami, FL Securities Fraud Attorney Today
At Carlson & Associates, P.A., we are proud to provide experienced legal representation to investors. If you suffered investment losses due to the misconduct of a financial professional, we are here to help. Contact us today to set up your confidential case review. With an office in Miami, our firm advocates for investor rights in Southeast Florida and communities beyond.
Source:
news.bloomberglaw.com/white-collar-and-criminal-law/florida-man-sentenced-to-30-months-for-investment-fraud-scheme
