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

Fantastic news!!!!  Your professionalism, support and expertise were greatly appreciated.  You made a difficult situation much more bearable.

Marci M.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

November 7, 2025
FINRA Suspends Former Wells Fargo Broker Over Unapproved Real Estate Venture

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) suspended former Wells Fargo broker George J. Cairnes for four months and fined him $25,000 for engaging in unapproved real estate outside business activity, according to a settlement letter issued.

November 6, 2025
Former Ameriprise Broker Ordered to Pay $2.2 Million for Elder Exploitation

A Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration panel has ordered Eric A. Dupre to pay nearly $2.2 million in damages to his former firm and two customers following allegations of theft and elder exploitation.

November 5, 2025
Former Wells Fargo Representative Suspended for Unauthorized Texting and Obstruction

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has suspended former Wells Fargo representative Eyan M. Townsend for one year and fined him $10,000 for using personal text messages to conduct business and attempting to obstruct an internal investigation by deleting those communications.