Robert T Edwards

Florida's attorney general on Monday announced a $20.4-million fine--the largest penalty that office has ever levied on an individual--against FundAmerica founder Robert T. Edwards for allegedly violating state law by operating a pyramid scheme. Edwards, who is facing criminal and civil charges relating to the operations of Irvine-based FundAmerica Inc., allegedly violated the state's Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, according to Florida attorney general spokesman Joe Bizzaro.

Two weeks after defunct FundAmerica Inc. settled a criminal probe by Florida authorities, it was revealed that a Los Angeles federal grand jury is probing a possible case against the firm's founder, according to court documents. Court papers filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Santa Ana, where the company was ordered liquidated almost three years ago, reveal that a grand jury is mulling possible criminal charges against Robert T. Edwards, who owns residences in Newport Beach and Vancouver, Canada.

Texas authorities said Wednesday that officials of FundAmerica Inc. told them in a closed-door meeting that they intended to do everything they can to retrieve $11.3 million of company money wired to two overseas entities by company founder Robert T. Edwards. Edwards was arrested July 19 in Florida on charges he was running FundAmerica as a pyramid scheme. During the nine months before his arrest, he wired millions of dollars to two mysterious entities in the Netherlands and Hong Kong.

One financial planner took the stage and was about to tell the 45 or so people in the hotel audience how he once made a fortune selling FundAmerica memberships. Then he caught himself, realizing that this was supposed to be the new and improved FundAmerica. "We can't talk numbers any more, can we?" he asked another salesman. So he fudged things a tad: "Let's say that my income in a couple of years was more than most people make in their whole lives," he said. They're baaaaack.

Some say FundAmerica founder Robert T. Edwards built pyramids better than the Egyptians. Constructed on at least three continents, his monuments weren't made out of sandstone. They were made of money. From Australia to England to California, investigators say, the 49-year-old Canadian presented himself as an earnest businessman when he really is a globe-trotting con man.

FundAmerica, the controversial Irvine consumer marketing company, is scheduled to be liquidated today. A federal bankruptcy judge is holding a public auction this morning to sell most of the firm's remaining assets, including its trademarks, copyrights, membership lists and the right to use the FundAmerica name. The bankruptcy trustee operating the company said Thursday that the only sure bidder was a new California company, FundGold Inc.

FundAmerica's court-appointed trustee has named a Fountain Valley accountant and financial adviser as chief executive officer of the controversial Irvine marketing firm, replacing Mitch Blumberg. Theodor Albert, selected last week to run FundAmerica after a power struggle erupted, appointed Chris Reehl on Monday. Reehl is president of Newport Industries Inc., a financial services firm.

One financial planner took the stage and was about to tell the 45 or so people in the hotel audience how he once made a fortune selling FundAmerica memberships. Then he caught himself, realizing that this was supposed to be the new and improved FundAmerica. "We can't talk numbers any more, can we?" he asked another salesman. So he fudged things a tad: "Let's say that my income in a couple of years was more than most people make in their whole lives," he said. They're baaaaack.

Most of FundAmerica's remaining assets were sold at auction for $1 million Friday to a lawyer representing company founder Robert T. Edwards despite a last-minute effort by a major creditor to block the sale. For $500,000 in cash and a $500,000 promissory note, Vancouver attorney George C. Davis acquired the Irvine network marketing company's copyrights, trademarks, patents, computer programs and membership lists--and rights to the FundAmerica name.

FundAmerica, the controversial Irvine consumer marketing company, is scheduled to be liquidated today. A federal bankruptcy judge is holding a public auction this morning to sell most of the firm's remaining assets, including its trademarks, copyrights, membership lists and the right to use the FundAmerica name. The bankruptcy trustee operating the company said Thursday that the only sure bidder was a new California company, FundGold Inc.

FundAmerica, the controversial Irvine consumer marketing company, will be liquidated and most of its remaining assets sold at a public auction later this month, it was decided in bankruptcy court Tuesday in Santa Ana. The company's Chapter 11 bankruptcy trustee said he has already received a $1-million offer from a Canadian company controlled by the attorney for FundAmerica founder Robert T. Edwards.

A federal bankruptcy judge Tuesday decided to give FundAmerica's court-appointed trustee another week to demonstrate why the controversial marketing company should not be liquidated. During a hearing in federal court here, Judge James N. Barr asked trustee Theodor Albert to justify his plan to operate the Irvine company for another 30 days at a cost of $250,000. "I'd like to know why it is you think it's a good idea to go on another month," Barr demanded.

FundAmerica, the controversial Irvine consumer marketing company, will be liquidated and most of its remaining assets sold at a public auction later this month, it was decided in bankruptcy court Tuesday in Santa Ana. The company's Chapter 11 bankruptcy trustee said he has already received a $1-million offer from a Canadian company controlled by the attorney for FundAmerica founder Robert T. Edwards.

Two weeks after defunct FundAmerica Inc. settled a criminal probe by Florida authorities, it was revealed that a Los Angeles federal grand jury is probing a possible case against the firm's founder, according to court documents. Court papers filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Santa Ana, where the company was ordered liquidated almost three years ago, reveal that a grand jury is mulling possible criminal charges against Robert T. Edwards, who owns residences in Newport Beach and Vancouver, Canada.

FundAmerica's court-appointed trustee has named a Fountain Valley accountant and financial adviser as chief executive officer of the controversial Irvine marketing firm, replacing Mitch Blumberg. Theodor Albert, selected last week to run FundAmerica after a power struggle erupted, appointed Chris Reehl on Monday. Reehl is president of Newport Industries Inc., a financial services firm.

The battle for control of FundAmerica heated up Wednesday when the chairman and president sued the parent firm of the controversial marketing company, seeking to block an attempt to oust them from their jobs. Meanwhile, officials of parent company FundAmerica Holdings said late Wednesday evening that they will ask a federal bankruptcy judge today to dismiss FundAmerica Chairman Peter Bradshaw and President Mitchell Blumberg.