Stewart Pope, Mail Fraud, Florida 2009

A former president of Global Resources has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for his role in a business opportunity scam that victimized over 200 people in South Florida.

Stewart Pope, President of Global Resources, pleaded guilty to mail fraud and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, and was sentenced to 27 months in prison and ordered to pay $4,313,093 in restitution.

Pope was listed as the President of Global in the company’s marketing materials, communications with potential customers, and disclosure documents. In reality, Pope’s name was used to hide the involvement of Global’s true owners and principals, who, among other things, had a history of selling various sorts of failed business opportunities.

The scam, which operated out of Miami, promoted business opportunities to consumers across the country through television commercials and other media, touting the profits that could be earned by purchasing a Global distributorship.

Potential purchasers were told that for a purchase price of approximately $15,000, Global would provide three terminals, numerous prepaid cell phones, and advertising material, and that potential purchasers would earn their investment back in approximately six months to a year.

However, the locations where terminals were placed drew almost no business and many of the prepaid cell phones did not work.

Pope’s conviction and sentence brings to eight the number of individuals convicted in this scam, which caused more than $4,000,000 in losses.

Defendant: Stewart Pope

Criminal Charges: Mail fraud, conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud

City and State: Miami, Florida

Exact Date: August 11, 2009

Sentence: 27 months in prison, $4,313,093 in restitution

Source: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/defendants-sentenced-connection-business-opportunity-scams