The SEC recently charged Richard Dale Sterritt, Jr., operating under the alias “Richard Richman,” Michael Greer, Robert Magness, Mark Ross and Robyn Straza with conspiracy to commit securities fraud, money laundering and other offenses.
According to the indictment, the defendants perpetuated a series of frauds, including fraudulent offers of securities in Zona Energy Inc., a Texas-based oil and gas exploration and production company, and manipulation of the price and trading volume of 5.3 million shares (a “pump and dump” scheme), in OrgHarvest, Inc., a company that produces organic cannabis products.
Between March 2018 and January 2021, the defendants are alleged to have misappropriated more than $10 million in investor funds, including to purchase luxury goods and plastic surgery or to pay cash to Sterritt’s family, friends and girlfriends. A copy of the indictment is available here.
If you or someone you know invested in Zona Energy or OrgHarvest, or were otherwise harmed by Sterritt’s fraud, Fishman Haygood may be able to help. Contact one of our attorneys today.
