In a shocking case of fraud, a Beverly Hills man named Mark Roy Anderson has been indicted for allegedly scamming investors out of more than $9 million in a fake hemp farm scheme. Anderson, who was already serving a federal sentence for a previous fraud conviction, is accused of soliciting funds for his company, Harvest Farm Group, by falsely claiming to own and operate a hemp farm in California. The indictment reveals that Anderson used deceitful tactics, including false representations about successful and profitable hemp harvests, to convince victims to invest in his fraudulent venture. If convicted, Anderson could face up to 20 years in federal prison for each count of wire fraud.
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Beverly Hills Man Indicted in $9 Million Hemp Farm Scam
Introduction
In a shocking turn of events, a Beverly Hills man, Mark Roy Anderson, who was already serving a federal sentence for a previous fraud case, has been indicted for allegedly orchestrating a $9 million scam involving investments in a fake hemp farm. Anderson now faces new charges of wire fraud for his deceptive actions, which took place from June 2020 to April 2021. This article will delve into the details of the indictment, Anderson’s false representations, the misappropriation of funds, the legal proceedings, and the ongoing investigation and prosecution of the case.
Background
Mark Roy Anderson, a resident of Beverly Hills, was in the final stages of serving a federal sentence related to a prior fraud case when he was indicted for yet another alleged scam. Anderson, who had been living in Beverly Hills while on supervised release, now faces five counts of wire fraud. The new case revolves around his alleged solicitation of over $9 million from investors, under the guise of an investment opportunity in a non-existent hemp farm called Harvest Farm Group.
Indictment Details
The indictment against Mark Roy Anderson consists of five counts of wire fraud. Federal grand jury proceedings led to the decision to press charges against Anderson. The indictment outlines the accusations made against him, the charges of wire fraud, and the duration of the alleged scheme, which spanned from June 2020 to April 2021.
Accusations against Mark Roy Anderson
According to the indictment, Mark Roy Anderson is accused of making false claims about Harvest Farm Group, a company he purportedly owned and operated. Anderson used these false claims to deceive investors into providing funding for his non-existent hemp farm. The indictment reveals that Anderson tricked investors by asserting that Harvest Farm Group had successfully carried out profitable harvests and used machinery and equipment to process hemp into various consumer products.
Charges of Wire Fraud
The core charges against Mark Roy Anderson are centered around wire fraud. Wire fraud involves the use of electronic communication, such as phone calls or emails, to further a scheme designed to defraud others. In this case, Anderson is accused of utilizing wire fraud to deceive investors into sending him substantial amounts of money for false investments in his purported hemp farm.
False Claims of Investing in a Non-existent Hemp Farm
One of the key aspects of Mark Roy Anderson’s alleged scam involved convincing investors that they were investing in a real and profitable hemp farm. Anderson falsely represented that Harvest Farm Group was a legitimate enterprise engaged in the ownership and operation of a hemp farm located in Kern County, California.
Tricking Investors into Providing Funding
To carry out his scheme successfully, Mark Roy Anderson is accused of tricking investors into providing funding for his fake hemp farm. Anderson allegedly used false representations and promises of significant returns to deceive investors into sending him substantial amounts of money.
Scheme Duration: June 2020 to April 2021
The alleged scam orchestrated by Mark Roy Anderson lasted for approximately ten months, from June 2020 to April 2021. During this time, Anderson was able to deceive investors and misappropriate funds for personal use.
Anderson’s False Claims about Harvest Farm Group
Mark Roy Anderson devised a web of lies to maintain the illusion of a successful and legitimate company. He falsely claimed ownership and operation of Harvest Farm Group, a company that he asserted was engaged in the cultivation and processing of hemp. These false claims formed the basis of the investment scheme and allowed Anderson to take advantage of unsuspecting investors.
Ownership and Operation of a Hemp Farm
Mark Roy Anderson claimed to own and operate a hemp farm in Kern County, California, through his company Harvest Farm Group. By asserting ownership and operation of a real farm, Anderson attempted to build credibility and trust among potential investors.
Successful and Profitable Harvests
To entice investors, Mark Roy Anderson made false claims of previous successful and profitable harvests conducted by Harvest Farm Group. These claims were intended to give the impression of a thriving business and convince potential investors of the lucrative nature of the investment opportunity.
Use of Machinery and Equipment to Process Hemp
As part of his deception, Mark Roy Anderson falsely represented that Harvest Farm Group utilized advanced machinery and equipment to process hemp. This claim aimed to showcase the company’s purported capabilities and further convince investors of the profitability of their investment.
Attempts to Establish Legitimacy
Mark Roy Anderson made concerted efforts to create an appearance of legitimacy to deceive investors. He concealed his prior convictions for fraud and his ongoing criminal sentence while soliciting investments for Harvest Farm Group. By concealing this information, Anderson sought to project an image of trustworthiness despite his fraudulent intentions.
Concealing Prior Convictions and Current Criminal Sentence
In an attempt to gain the trust of potential investors, Mark Roy Anderson concealed his criminal history. He failed to disclose his previous convictions for multiple federal and state felony crimes, including mail fraud, wire fraud, grand theft, forgery, preparing false evidence, and money laundering. Furthermore, Anderson kept secret the fact that he was still serving a criminal sentence and on supervised release at the time he was soliciting investments.
Misappropriation of Funds
Rather than using the invested funds as intended, Mark Roy Anderson allegedly misappropriated them for personal expenses. These personal expenses include extravagant purchases of luxury and vintage vehicles, cash withdrawals, retail purchases, and even real estate acquisition.
Personal Expenses Covered with Investor Money
Investor funds were allegedly diverted by Mark Roy Anderson to cover his personal expenses. Anderson used the money to purchase luxury and vintage vehicles worth over $650,000, make cash withdrawals exceeding $400,000, and conduct more than $142,000 worth of retail purchases.
Luxury and Vintage Vehicle Purchases
One of the ways Mark Roy Anderson allegedly misused investor funds was by purchasing luxury and vintage vehicles. These purchases amounted to over $650,000 and were funded by money obtained through deceitful means.
Cash Withdrawals and Retail Purchases
To fund his personal expenses, Mark Roy Anderson is accused of making substantial cash withdrawals. The amount of cash withdrawn exceeded $400,000. Additionally, Anderson allegedly made retail purchases amounting to over $142,000 using investor funds.
Real Estate Acquisition
In an astonishing display of misuse of funds, Mark Roy Anderson allegedly spent over $1.3 million of investor money to acquire a residence and surrounding citrus groves in Ojai. This real estate acquisition showcases the extent to which Anderson allegedly misappropriated funds for personal gain.
Legal Proceedings
Mark Roy Anderson is scheduled to be arraigned on May 30. The potential consequences of his actions could result in a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison if found guilty on each count of wire fraud outlined in the indictment. The legal proceedings surrounding this case will shed further light on the extent of Anderson’s actions and provide justice for the affected investors.
Arraignment Date: May 30
Mark Roy Anderson’s arraignment is scheduled to take place on May 30. During this court appearance, he will face the charges outlined in the indictment and have the opportunity to enter a plea.
Potential Sentencing: 20 Years in Federal Prison
If convicted on all counts of wire fraud, Mark Roy Anderson could face a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. The severity of the potential sentence highlights the seriousness of the alleged crimes committed.
Investigation and Prosecution
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is actively investigating this case. Their efforts will aim to uncover any additional evidence, gather witness testimonies, and build a strong case against Mark Roy Anderson. Assistant United States Attorney Kerry L. Quinn has been appointed as the lead prosecutor responsible for presenting the evidence and arguments in court.
Conclusion
The indictment of Mark Roy Anderson in the $9 million hemp farm scam reveals a staggering web of deceit and fraud. Anderson’s alleged false representations, misappropriation of funds, and attempts to establish legitimacy for his fraudulent operation have led to serious legal consequences. The investigation and prosecution of this case will provide justice to the investors affected by Anderson’s alleged scam and serve as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in financial transactions.