Tr?id=566623520170033&ev=PageView&noscript=1

Former Florida Financial Advisor Charged with $2.7 Million Fraud Scheme

Posted on July 23rd, 2024 at 12:10 PM
Former Florida Financial Advisor Charged with $2.7 Million Fraud Scheme

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

According to ThinkAdvisor, federal prosecutors have charged former Florida financial advisor Jared Dean Eakes with wire fraud, alleging he scammed clients out of over $2.7 million across multiple states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Missouri, and elsewhere.

From January 2019 through February 2020, Eakes misrepresented himself as a registered investment advisor managing millions in client funds. He used an online marketplace to acquire other advisors' businesses, according to an indictment filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The criminal charges follow civil charges filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) two years ago related to the same alleged fraud scheme.

Prosecutors allege that Eakes transferred these funds into accounts he controlled. He misled clients into believing their funds were being invested as per their wishes, while in reality, he used the money for personal gain. This included embezzling funds, transferring money to his personal brokerage account, engaging in unauthorized options trading, and funding personal expenses, such as paying previous investment advisors and transferring funds to a Las Vegas casino.

As part of his scheme, Eakes created several corporate entities purportedly involved in investment management or consulting, including variations on the name GraySail. The government seeks over $2.7 million in forfeited property, representing the proceeds Eakes obtained from the alleged fraud.

 

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

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, sec

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

I cannot thank you enough for your efforts. You have proven to be a valuable resource.

Jim T.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1783012078 Law
July 2, 2026
Financial Services Institute Backs New Jersey Bill Protecting Independent Advisor Model

The Financial Services Institute (FSI) has urged New Jersey lawmakers to advance legislation that would help preserve the independent contractor status of financial advisors operating in the state.

1782920284 Law
July 1, 2026
Private Credit Funds Face Scrutiny Over Software Exposure Amid Investor Concerns

Private credit fund managers are facing increased scrutiny over their exposure to software companies as investors continue to pull money from the sector during ongoing market volatility.

1782836587 Law
June 30, 2026
FINRA Signals Stronger Enforcement Focus on Reg BI, Excessive Trading, and Best Execution

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) plans to intensify its enforcement efforts against Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) violations, excessive trading, options trading, churning, and best execution failures after bringing a record number of retail investor protection cases in 2025, according to ThinkAdvisor.