Cases by state
Ponzi schemes in Louisiana
6 cases announced 2009–2024, involving about $131.7M in reported investor money. Most common types: investment funds & advisory, crypto & digital assets and energy & alternative assets. Listed by where the main defendant was based.
The largest by reported amount: David D. DeBerardinis ($96M, 2018). Charges are allegations unless a court has entered a conviction or judgment.
Pitch phrases seen in these cases
- “pooling their funds would be beneficial to them”
- “high rates of return”
- “interest payments and a guaranteed return of principal”
- “preferential trading arrangement with alon usa energy, inc”
- “$25,000 within approximately two weeks”
- “up to $3,000,000 within one year”
- “conservative”
- “guaranteed”
Cases
| Date | Case | Location | Industry | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 28, 2024 | NOLA FX Capital Management LLC, Meteor LLC, NOLA FX Fund LLC Michael Brian DePetrillo |
New Orleans, LA | Crypto & digital assets | $9.2M |
| Nov 21, 2019 | Capital Energy Investments LLC Donnie Laing Jr. |
Youngsville, LA | Energy & alternative assets | $1.2M |
| Jan 25, 2018 | David D. DeBerardinis | Shreveport, LA | Trading, forex & commodities | $96M |
| May 22, 2015 | John Sposato | Slidell, LA | Real estate | $811,305 |
| Nov 20, 2009 | Matthew B. Pizzolato | Tickfaw, LA | Investment funds & advisory | $19.5M |
| Feb 27, 2009 | Paragon Company, Omni Clearing Judith Zabalaoui |
Metairie, LA | Investment funds & advisory | $5M |