Related Federal Cases
Apopka Man Pleads Guilty to Investment Scam
Ocala, Florida – In a shocking turn of events, John C. Boschert (43, Apopka) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, a crime that could land him in federal prison for up to 20 years.
According to court documents, Boschert and his two conspirators, Jenifer E. Hoffman (38, Clermont) and Bryan T. Zuzga (37, Coldwater, Michigan), defrauded over 100 victims out of more than $11 million through investments offered in connection with a company called Assured Capital Consultants.
As part of their solicitations, the conspirators represented to investors that money would be placed in a Performing Private Placement Investment, and that Boschert had connections to the trading program being used. Investors were told that their investments would be safe and that none of their money would leave the attorney escrow account that belonged to Zuzga, who was represented as being an attorney licensed in Florida.
However, none of those representations were true. Zuzga was not an attorney licensed in Florida or any other state, and the funds were not deposited into any escrow account controlled by him. Instead, the three operated a scheme in which money from later investors was paid to earlier investors. They also used some of the money from the scheme for themselves, including purchasing residences for Hoffman and Zuzga.
In a prior civil proceeding, the United States forfeited two residences belonging to Hoffman and Zuzga, which had been purchased with proceeds from the scheme. The United States obtained more than $850,000 from the sale of the properties. The proceeds from those sales were distributed to the victims of the scheme.
Boschert has agreed to pay $11.6 million in restitution to his victims. Hoffman and Zuzga have each been charged with one count of conspiracy and eleven counts of wire fraud. Hoffman has also been charged with one count of making a false tax return. Both are scheduled for trial in December 2014.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States Secret Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Roger B. Handberg, James Mandolfo, and Nicole M. Andrejko.
Boschert’s plea comes as a relief to the over 100 victims who were defrauded out of millions of dollars. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of doing thorough research before investing in any company or scheme.
In related news, the United States obtained more than $850,000 from the sale of two residences forfeited from Hoffman and Zuzga, which were purchased with proceeds from the scheme. The proceeds from those sales were distributed to the victims of the scheme.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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