Cases by state
Ponzi schemes in Ohio
28 cases announced 2010–2026, involving about $854.7M in reported investor money. Most common types: investment funds & advisory, real estate and trading, forex & commodities. Listed by where the main defendant was based.
The largest by reported amount: Mark Dente ($220M, 2024). Charges are allegations unless a court has entered a conviction or judgment.
Pitch phrases seen in these cases
- “high returns on the development of real estate properties”
- “rolling with the parkers”
- “the road to financial freedom”
- “thirty percent or more”
- “he would take care of her finances”
- “their investments were performing well”
- “with a profit”
- “a portfolio of real estate investments”
Cases
| Date | Case | Location | Industry | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 12, 2026 | Gregory Parker, Danielle Parker | Cleveland, OH | Real estate | $2M |
| Apr 10, 2026 | Boss Lifestyle LLC Tyler Bossetti |
Columbus, OH | Real estate | $23M |
| Apr 7, 2026 | John Jay Kersey | Maineville, OH | Investment funds & advisory | $8.6M |
| Oct 16, 2025 | Essex and Associates Wayne T. Essex, Susan Essex |
Columbus, OH | Real estate | $11M |
| Sep 25, 2025 | Cleveland Custom Homes Jeffrey Crawford |
Avon, OH | Lending & cash advance | $2.9M |
| Jul 17, 2024 | Northwest Capital Doug Miller, Richard Scheich, James Delverne, Nancy Rathbun, Bradley J. Konorman, Adam R. Salon |
Toledo, OH | Investment funds & advisory | $72M |
| Mar 27, 2024 | Mark Dente | Akron, OH | Real estate | $220M |
| Sep 25, 2023 | Matthew Motil | North Olmsted, OH | Investment funds & advisory | $11M |
| Apr 3, 2023 | Aureus Capital Pte. Ltd. Michael Philip Atkins |
Dublin, OH | Trading, forex & commodities | $18M |
| Nov 18, 2022 | Rathnakishore Giri | New Albany, OH | Crypto & digital assets | $10M |
| Mar 18, 2021 | Hadsell Chemical Processing LLC Robert W. Walton Jr. |
Loveland, OH | Investment funds & advisory | $8.7M |
| Sep 3, 2020 | Sageguard LLC, Gensource Raymond Erker, Keven Krantz, Tara Brunst |
Westlake, OH | Investment funds & advisory | $9.3M |
| Feb 12, 2020 | Q3 Trading Club, Q3 I LP Michael W. Ackerman, James A. Seijas, Quan Tran |
Sheffield Lake, OH | Crypto & digital assets | $33M |
| Apr 8, 2019 | Landash Corporation, Midwest Coal LLC Jason E. Adkins |
Jackson, OH | Investment funds & advisory | $50M |
| Sep 25, 2018 | John Gregory Schmidt | Dayton, OH | Insurance-linked | $1M |
| Oct 12, 2016 | Budget Finance Company Donna S. Brown |
Clarington, OH | Lending & cash advance | $25M |
| Jul 13, 2016 | Cyprus Funds Inc. Eric V. Bartoli |
Doylestown, OH | Investment funds & advisory | $65M |
| Oct 30, 2015 | William M. Apostelos, Connie M. Apostelos, Steven Scudder | Springboro, OH | Real estate | $70M |
| Jan 14, 2015 | Keystone Capital Management LLC Geoffrey W. Nehrenz |
Uniontown, OH | Investment funds & advisory | $7M |
| Aug 26, 2014 | Oscar F. Villarreal | Gates Mills, OH | Energy & alternative assets | $18.4M |
| May 29, 2014 | KGTA Petroleum Ltd Thomas Abdallah, Kenneth Grant, Mark M. George, Jeffrey L. Gainer, Jerry Cicolani |
Brunswick, OH | Trading, forex & commodities | $20M |
| Dec 17, 2013 | Queen City Investments Glen Galemmo |
Cincinnati, OH | Investment funds & advisory | $87M |
| Aug 14, 2013 | Davian Capital Advisors LLC Anthony J. Davian |
Copley, OH | Trading, forex & commodities | $1.5M |
| Jun 3, 2013 | Detroit Memorial Partners LLC Mark Morrow |
Cincinnati, OH | Investment funds & advisory | $19M |
| Feb 15, 2011 | A&M Investments Monroe L. Beachy |
Sugarcreek, OH | Investment funds & advisory | $33M |
| Oct 7, 2010 | Kevin Harris, Keelan Harris, Karen Starr, Patrick Cole | Warren, OH | Trading, forex & commodities | $15M |
| May 17, 2010 | DJ Harriett Inc David J. Harriett |
Warren, OH | Investment funds & advisory | $7M |
| Apr 9, 2010 | Richard C. Shade Jr. | Perrysburg, OH | Investment funds & advisory | $6.3M |