Friday, July 20, 2012

The Curious Story of Peregrine's Vast Money Trail




Russell Wasendorf Sr. and his companies invested in everything from wind turbines to silver coins featuring SpongeBob SquarePants according to the WSJ.

Now, these ventures are part of a far-flung road map for investigators tracking what happened to $215 million in missing customer funds overseen by Mr. Wasendorf and the futures brokerage he founded, Peregrine Financial Group Inc., according to people connected to the probes.

Mr. Wasendorf's various businesses included restaurants, publishing and training companies, and several financial firms, according to company marketing materials and regulatory documents. His charity gave away almost $1.4 million over a five-year period, records show.

In a note left in his car after he attempted suicide last week, Mr. Wasendorf said he spent most of the "misappropriated" money to cushion his trading firm's capital, fund a new corporate headquarters, and to pay regulatory fines and fees. But the people familiar with the investigations—as well as a temporary receiver for Mr. Wasendorf's estate—said authorities aren't assuming Mr. Wasendorf's statements are true, and are continuing to look at where the money may have gone…..
Read all about it at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444097904577537182181098186.html?mod=WSJ_hp_editorsPicks_2

No comments:

Post a Comment