Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., today announced the indictment of three stock promoters and five co-conspirators for participating in stock market manipulation schemes, commonly referred to as “pump-and-dump” schemes, in which thousands of investors in penny stocks were defrauded of approximately $290 million. The defendants are charged in an 85-count indictment in New York State Supreme Court with Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the First and Second Degrees, Grand Larceny in the Second, Third, and Fourth Degrees, Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, and Securities
ANTHONY J. THOMPSON, JR., a/k/a “A.J. Thompson,” D.O.B. 9/28/1975
Bethesda, MD
Charges:
Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the First Degree, a class B felony, 6 counts
Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 3 counts
Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 1 count
Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class D felony, 23 counts
Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony, 1 count
Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony, 14 counts
Violation of the Martin Act, a class E felony, 32 counts
ERIC VAN NGUYEN, D.O.B. 1/20/1984
Quebec, Canada
Charges:
Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the First Degree, a class B felony, 5 counts
Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 2 counts
Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 1 count
Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class D felony, 23 counts
Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony, 1 count
Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony, 14 counts
Violation of the Martin Act, a class E felony, 32 counts
JAY FUNG, D.O.B. 11/25/1973
Delray Beach, FL
Charges:
Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the First Degree, a class B felony, 5 counts
Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 3 counts
Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 1 count
Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class D felony, 23 counts
Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony, 1 count
Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony, 14 counts
Violation of the Martin Act, a class E felony, 32 counts
JOSEPH DERVALI, D.O.B. 3/21/1960
Pembroke Pines, FL
Charges:
Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony, 8 counts
Violation of the Martin Act, a class E felony, 4 counts
CHRISTOPHER BALSEIRO, D.O.B. 11/20/1982
North Bay Village, FL
Charges:
Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony, 8 counts
Violation of the Martin Act, a class E felony, 4 counts
HANNA SCHMIEDER, a/k/a “Hanna Solomon,” D.O.B. 8/31/1975
Los Angeles, CA
Charges:
Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony, 6 counts
Violation of the Martin Act, a class E felony, 3 counts
LUZ RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Luz Capeles,” D.O.B. 9/13/1966
Miramar, FL
Charges:
Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony, 4 counts
Violation of the Martin Act, a class E felony, 2 counts
KENNETH OXSALIDA, D.O.B. 6/28/1955
Sebring, FL
Charges:
Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony, 6 counts
Violation of the Martin Act, a class E felony, 3 counts