7 Telemarketers Indicted on Federal Fraud Charges
Seven men accused in an alleged telemarketing scam linked to slain entrepreneur Christopher Rawlings have been indicted on federal fraud charges, authorities announced Monday.
The men worked for WRI Holdings Inc., one of several allegedly bogus firms government prosecutors said were run by Rawlings and two other men.
The company allegedly defrauded people who thought they were investing in a company planning to release records by Marvin Gaye and the Beatles, according to the indictment made public Monday. In a nine-month period last year, victims invested about $1.1 million, according to the indictment.
Charged in the indictment were Peter Aro, John Dickens, Timothy Griffieth, Vincent Rabiola, John Watson, Gerald Whiteford and Michael Wineman.
Aro, 39, who has also been indicted in an earlier telemarketing scam, is a fugitive, authorities said.
Los Angeles police are investigating whether Rawlings’ business practices may have been linked to his death last month, but as yet have found no connection.
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