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Replies to post #23085 on Paradigm Oil and Gas Inc (PDGO)
01/11/24 12:11 AM
01/11/24 12:11 AM
01/11/24 7:45 AM
Pinellas man charged with running $6 million Ponzi scheme
A Pinellas man under investigation in connection with a Ponzi scheme that duped investors out of more than $6 million turned himself in to authorities Thursday, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement reported.
Authorities arrested David George Dreslin, 54, of Seminole, and held him on $920,000 bail at the Pinellas County Jail.
The investigation, headed by the FDLE and the Florida Office of Financial Regulation, led authorities to believe Dreslin lured investors to put money up for real estate projects that never materialized, authorities said.
Dreslin, who is an accountant, persuaded clients to buy shares in development projects and promised big returns in a short period of time. But Dreslin never owned all the properties he proffered, and used clients' money as personal income or to pay other investors, the FDLE said.
"Dreslin's victims were convinced to liquidate their retirement accounts and in some instances cash out the equity of their homes," FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey said. "For many victims, the scam resulted in the loss of their life savings."
Dreslin is charged with racketeering, conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, sale of an unregistered security, sale of a security by an unregistered dealer, security fraud and organized fraud.
https://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/pinellas-man-charged-with-running-6-million-ponzi-scheme/2161657/
The individual, partnership, or corporation is no longer licensed as a result of a disciplinary action.
Under the automatic disciplinary provisions of the Institute’s bylaws, Mr. Dreslin’s AICPA membership was terminated effective June 22, 2023. This action is based on the disciplinary action taken by the Florida Board of Accountancy. Whereby, Mr. Dreslin’s CPA license was revoked for violating Florida Statute Section 473.323(1)(j) by having his right to practice as an accountant before the SEC suspended on or about March 12, 2020.
Management became aware of a Company debt that it previously had no knowledge of. The Company, after doing its due diligence, has acknowledged that the debt is a legitimate debt of the Company. The majority of the debt originated in 2014. Based on the terms and age of the debt the current balance as January 1, 2023 is $11,329,700 which includes penalties and additional interest based on the terms of the note. The amount has been added to the accumulated deficit of the Company. The Company is currently working on options to repay the note.
The Company is required at all times to have authorized and reserved five times the number of shares that is actually issuable upon full conversion of the notes (based on the Conversion Price of the Notes in effect from time to time)
