Cases by state
Ponzi schemes in Tennessee
20 cases announced 2008–2026, involving about $176.1M in reported investor money. Most common types: investment funds & advisory, trading, forex & commodities and crypto & digital assets. Listed by where the main defendant was based.
The largest by reported amount: Gentry Brothers Tractor Supply, Gentry Auto ($43M, 2017). Charges are allegations unless a court has entered a conviction or judgment.
Pitch phrases seen in these cases
- “a significant reserve fund to make his investors whole”
- “guaranteed high rates of return”
- “attractive returns”
- “high-yield investment programs”
- “apex trading platform”
- “coach wendy”
- “crypto futures”
- “high gains”
Cases
| Date | Case | Location | Industry | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 12, 2026 | Star Credit Holdings Misam M. Abidi |
Nolensville, TN | Crypto & digital assets | $1.9M |
| Oct 1, 2025 | Michael D. Harris | Morristown, TN | Trading, forex & commodities | $1.5M |
| Jul 26, 2024 | Remain in Control LLC Alcides Roman |
Lebanon, TN | Investment funds & advisory | $2M |
| Jul 25, 2023 | Blessings of God Thru Crypto Michael Griffis, Amanda Griffis |
Clarksville, TN | Crypto & digital assets | $6M |
| Sep 2, 2021 | Gray Area Marketing Katie Lynn Mancuso |
Nashville, TN | Investment funds & advisory | $2.8M |
| Jan 19, 2021 | Tammy Lynn Hawk | Bristol, TN | Real estate | $1M |
| Jul 11, 2017 | Gentry Brothers Tractor Supply, Gentry Auto Jeffery Lynn Gentry |
Sparta, TN | Agriculture & cattle | $43M |
| Jun 28, 2017 | Richard Bazzell | Hixson, TN | Not specified | $2.7M |
| Aug 5, 2015 | First American Monetary Consultants, Information Radio Network Larry Bates, Charles Bates (aka Chuck Bates), Robert Bates |
Memphis, TN | Investment funds & advisory | $18M |
| Jun 25, 2014 | New Century Coal, Earth Energy Exploration Brian C. Rose (aka John Hankins), Robert S. McGregor (aka Jim Robinson III), Dallas P. McRae, Hugh F. Sackett, James M. Robinson, Brent Loveall, Jason Smith, Ray C. Spears (aka Brock Hamilton), Jennifer L. Key, Johnny Phillips |
Johnson City, TN | Investment funds & advisory | $15M |
| Dec 29, 2012 | Jack Brown | Soddy-Daisy, TN | Investment funds & advisory | $10M |
| Mar 27, 2012 | Brian Keith Miller | Maryville, TN | Investment funds & advisory | $1M |
| Feb 15, 2012 | Edward Shannon Polen | Greenbrier, TN | Agriculture & cattle | $16M |
| Dec 7, 2010 | Salih Acarbulut | Chattanooga, TN | Trading, forex & commodities | $12M |
| Jun 3, 2010 | A.D. Vallett & Co. LLC Aaron Donald Vallett |
Brentwood, TN | Real estate | $5.5M |
| Mar 8, 2010 | Strategic Capital Management James Terry Brinley |
Millington, TN | Trading, forex & commodities | $3.5M |
| Mar 12, 2009 | Centurion Asset Management Inc, Advanced Trading Services Inc Dennis R. Bolze |
Sevierville, TN | Trading, forex & commodities | $700,000 |
| Feb 27, 2009 | Park Capital Management Group, PCMG Lending Michael J. Park |
Brentwood, TN | Trading, forex & commodities | $9M |
| Jan 28, 2009 | ProTrust Management Inc Gordon B. Grigg |
Nashville, TN | Investment funds & advisory | $6.5M |
| Jun 26, 2008 | The Forex Project, Interbank FX Luis Hiram Rivas |
Chattanooga, TN | Trading, forex & commodities | $18M |