Newbury Park Woman Charged with Securities Fraud — Stole from Investors

A felony complaint was filed against Terri Ann Petty (DOB 9/22/1965), of Newbury Park, charging her with four felony counts of securities fraud, elder fraud and grand theft.  The case resulted from an investigation conducted by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation.

From 2010 until her August 31, 2017, arrest, Petty continuously solicited people to invest money with her, using fictitious names such as “Project4Freedom2010” and “You Create Freedom Corporation.” Petty held regular conference calls in which she induced people to invest based on elaborate false claims and promises of spectacular returns.  She used some of the invested funds to pay her living expenses and deposited other funds into accounts controlled by associates she never met, who are believed to live abroad.  Though returns were not paid as promised, Petty continued to solicit new investments until her arrest.  Petty is known to have received hundreds of thousands of dollars through her scheme.

The case is scheduled for an early disposition conference on September 14, 2017, in courtroom 12 of the Ventura Superior Court, County of Ventura, at 1:30 p.m., and a preliminary hearing on September 18, 2017, in courtroom 13 at 8:15 a.m.  Petty is currently in custody at the Ventura County jail with bail set at $250,000.  If convicted, she faces up to 7 years 4 months in state prison.  Anyone who believes he or she may have been a victim or has relevant information should contact District Attorney Investigator Jon Hixson at (805) 662-1732.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is the public prosecutor for the county’s 850,000 residents. The office employs approximately 280 employees including attorneys, investigators, victim advocates, and other professional support staff who strive to seek justice, ensure public safety, and protect the rights of crime victims.

Follow the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office on Twitter @VenturaDAOffice

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