Telemarketers Charged in Business Opportunity Scam

WASHINGTON – Six individuals have been charged in a federal indictment in Miami for their involvement in a business opportunity sales operation that authorities say was a scam.

According to the indictment, the defendants, including Stewart Pope of Seminole, Fla.; John Maginnis of Miami; Lisa Cohan of Ft. Lauderdale; Laura Fadlon aka “Laura Sadlon” of North Miami; Larry Taylor and Frank DiMezza, both of Long Beach, Calif., engaged in the fraudulent sale of business opportunities through a firm called Global Resources Inc. from approximately June 2004 through Oct. 2004.

The company purportedly sold prepaid business opportunities, along with assistance in establishing, maintaining and operating a prepaid business, for a purchase price of approximately $15,000. Global promoted the business opportunities to consumers across the country through television commercials and other media, touting the profits that could be earned by purchasing a distributorship.

However, the indictment alleges that the defendants made several misrepresentations about the profits that would be generated by the business, territorial limitations, the viability of locations and ongoing customer support and technical assistance that Global would provide. The closers also gave out the names of the company’s references, who falsely claimed to be successful Global distributors.

Defendant Stewart Pope was listed as Global’s president in the company’s marketing materials, communications with potential customers and disclosure documents. However, Pope was not an owner or principal of Global. 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.

If convicted, the defendants face a maximum statutory term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count, a possible fine, and mandatory restitution. It should be remembered that an indictment is not evidence of criminal activity, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

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