Former CFA Institute Executive Charged in $5 Million Embezzlement Scheme

Posted on July 16th, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Former CFA Institute Executive Charged in $5 Million Embezzlement Scheme

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

Michael J. Collins, the former chief marketing officer of the CFA Institute, has been accused of embezzling nearly $5 million from the financial education organization through a long-running fraud scheme designed to fund a lavish personal lifestyle. As reported by ThinkAdvisor, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office announced the charges following Collins’ arrest on an eight-count indictment.

Prosecutors allege Collins exploited his executive position at the CFA Institute between 2016 and 2022 by creating and secretly controlling sham consulting firms. He then directed contracts to these entities and submitted fraudulent invoices for services that were never performed. According to ThinkAdvisor, the indictment further claims Collins executed a similar scheme after joining Boundless Learning, a former educational subsidiary of Pearson Plc, where he worked from 2022 to 2024.

Authorities say Collins built a façade of legitimacy around these fake companies by registering websites, emails, phone numbers, and bank accounts. He allegedly exchanged emails with these fabricated firms and forwarded them to internal contacts to conceal the deception.

Collins, 61, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

 

Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, transition, regulatory, and disciplinary matters.

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

I have the best legal firm in the country to defend me. Awesome job!

Cindy C.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

December 22, 2025
FINRA Overhauls Arbitration Rules to Rebalance Arbitrator Selection and Codify Forum Practices

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has approved significant amendments to its Codes of Arbitration Procedure designed to rebalance public arbitrator selection, increase transparency, and formalize several long-standing practices in the arbitration forum.

December 19, 2025
Industry Groups Press Senate at Advance Financial Exploitation Prevention Act

Several industry associations are urging the U.S. Senate to pass the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act, legislation that would allow mutual fund companies and their transfer agents to delay redemptions when they reasonably suspect elder financial abuse.

December 18, 2025
UBS Warns of Rising Default Risk in Private Credit

A UBS report signals that credit stress likely will intensify next year as borrowers confront inflation, elevated interest costs, and softening consumer conditions.