Ponzi schemer who pilfered $5M gets 7 years in prison

A Virginia man will spend more than seven years in prison for running a Ponzi scheme that bilked more than $5 million from more than 30 investors.
DEC 28, 2009
A Virginia man will spend more than seven years in prison for running a Ponzi scheme that bilked more than $5 million from more than 30 investors. John Mark Donnelly was sentenced Friday in federal court. The 53-year-old Donnelly had pleaded guilty in May to wire fraud, securities fraud, fraud in connection with futures contracts and impeding the administration of federal tax laws. According to court records, Donnelly marketed a complex trading strategy to investors but rarely traded the money he received. Instead, he distributed the money to other investors. Donnelly also sent tax forms and fictitious monthly statements to investors. Prosecutors said many investors paid taxes on investment returns that didn't exist.

Latest News

401(k) savings rate at new record high but balances are down slightly
401(k) savings rate at new record high but balances are down slightly

Quarterly analysis of retirement accounts highlights positive behavior.

JPMorgan mulls new asset lending scheme aimed at crypto ETF investors
JPMorgan mulls new asset lending scheme aimed at crypto ETF investors

Insiders say the Wall Street giant is looking to let clients count certain crypto holdings as collateral or, in some cases, assets in their overall net worth.

Fintech bytes: Future Capital adds RayJay alum to C-suite, Advyzon welcomes ex-Envestnet leader
Fintech bytes: Future Capital adds RayJay alum to C-suite, Advyzon welcomes ex-Envestnet leader

The two wealth tech firms are bolstering their leadership as they take differing paths towards growth and improved advisor services.

UBS 'wrongfully' fired Idaho advisor in 2021: FINRA panel
UBS 'wrongfully' fired Idaho advisor in 2021: FINRA panel

“We think this happened because of Anderson’s age and that he was possibly leaving,” said the advisor’s attorney.

Cetera Trust hires Fidelity vet Kerri Scharr for chief fiduciary officer role
Cetera Trust hires Fidelity vet Kerri Scharr for chief fiduciary officer role

The newly appointed leader will be responsible for overseeing fiduciary governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management at Cetera's trust services company.

SPONSORED Beyond the dashboard: Making wealth tech human

How intelliflo aims to solve advisors' top tech headaches—without sacrificing the personal touch clients crave

SPONSORED The evolution of private credit

From direct lending to asset-based finance to commercial real estate debt.