Two individuals, Candice V. Cunningham, 35, and Joseph E. Johnson Jr., 50, of Chicago, have been charged with operating illegal multimillion-dollar pyramid schemes in at least four different states.
According to court documents, Cunningham and Johnson allegedly operated a series of pyramid schemes under various names, including Wealth Partners Publishing, Wealth Wise, Zero to Profit, 30 Day Success Formula, Lav Label, Beckett Group, and DTR Group.
The schemes were advertised to victim-participants, who were promised payments from other participants if they invested money in the schemes.
However, the materials allegedly misrepresented the scheme’s true nature, promising that if a victim-participant did not receive payments, their initial investment would be fully refunded.
Most victim-participants did not receive any payments, and Cunningham, Johnson, and others obtained millions of dollars as a result of their scheme.
Cunningham and Johnson are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and seven counts of mail fraud, with a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count.
The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating the case, which is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Amanda Swanson and Della Sentilles of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Farris Martini for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
If you believe you are a victim in this case, please contact the Fraud Section’s Victim Witness Unit toll-free at (888) 549-3945 or by email at victimassistance.fraud@usdoj.gov.
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Key Facts
- State: Wisconsin
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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