Springfield’s Hanson Sentenced for $1.1M Investment Fraud

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A local man stands convicted of orchestrating a $1.1 million Ponzi scheme that siphoned investments from unsuspecting victims. Christopher Hanson, 54, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to two years and nine months in federal prison without parole for his role in the elaborate scam.

Hanson, owner of Hanson Holdings, LLC, had previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges on September 14, 2015. The court also mandated that he pay $1,134,500 in restitution to the victims of his fraudulent operation.

According to the prosecution, Hanson misrepresented to three investors that their investments would be used to purchase collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) or bonds and securities, promising high returns. Instead, the defendant diverted funds into his personal accounts, using the money for personal expenses, unrelated debts, or to pay off earlier investors.

Financial records exposed the true nature of Hanson’s activities, revealing none of the invested monies were used for promised investments. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Missouri’s Western District and federal agents worked tirelessly to unravel the scheme that ultimately defrauded his victims out of over a million dollars.

In addition to the federal charges, Hanson faces civil litigation in Apple Valley, Minn., and state charges in Greene County Circuit Court for separate but similar fraudulent activities. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney prosecuted this case, with support from the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation.

As justice is served, those affected by this fraudulent scheme can now seek closure, knowing that the man responsible has been held accountable for his actions.