DES MOINES, IA – On August 9, 2018, following a four-day
trial, a jury found Roger Duane Goodwin, age 59, of Windsor Heights, guilty of
seven counts of mail fraud announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. The
jury also determined Goodwin’s residence in Windsor Heights and two Harley
Davidson motorcycles are subject to forfeiture
During trial, the government presented evidence Goodwin
owned and operated “Goodwin Network of Advisors, Inc.” which was also referred
to as “Goodwin Network”, “GN of A”, and “GNA Corp.” and sold life insurance and
annuities to individuals in the Des Moines and Houston, Texas areas. From
February 2013 through August 2016, Goodwin advised several of his clients to
surrender or cash out existing investments—totaling over $1 million—in order to
use those funds to purchase insurance products from him. Instead of purchasing
insurance policies or annuity contracts for the clients as promised, Goodwin
deposited the clients’ checks into a bank account associated with Goodwin
Network of Advisors – which only Goodwin and his spouse could access.
“The evidence showed the defendant preyed on older and
vulnerable victims, and he used their hard-earned savings to line his own
pockets and fund his lavish lifestyle,” said United States Attorney Krickbaum.
“Those like Goodwin who prey upon older individuals should know that we will
hold them accountable.”
Goodwin kept all or large portions of the funds and used the
money for unauthorized purposes that were not for the benefit of the affected
clients. Goodwin used his clients’ money, unbeknownst to them, for his personal
expenses including paying his mortgage, making vehicle payments, remodeling his
residence, and other lavish personal expenditures. He also used client funds to
repay other clients of Goodwin’s and to make payments to the insurance
companies for the benefit of clients whose money Goodwin had failed to earlier
send to the insurance company.
Mail fraud is punishable by a maximum prison term of twenty
years and a maximum fine of $250,000 for each count. Sentencing is scheduled
for December 19, 2018, at 11:00 a.m., before United States District Court Judge
Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of
Investigation and prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the
Southern District of Iowa.
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