BUSINESS BRIEFING / COURTS

Three Southern California men were charged with running a $30-million fraud scheme through an investment business, Plus Money Inc., that operated a stock-option trading program.

Matthew “Beau” La Madrid, 48, of Jamul; Lance La Madrid, 50, of El Cajon; and Eric Montiel, 52, of San Diego, are accused of conspiracy and mail, wire and bank fraud, U.S. Atty. Karen P. Hewitt in San Diego said.

Matthew La Madrid, the former president of Plus Money, also is charged with money laundering and witness tampering, according to the statement.