Kander Orders Kentucky Man to Stop His Scam of a Springfield Senior
Jefferson City, Mo. — Secretary of State Jason Kander issued a cease and desist order against Howard E. Roberts of Louisville, Ky., for soliciting a 77-year-old Springfield, Mo., resident suffering from cognitive decline to invest $250,000 in Roberts’ business, Maximum Performance, Inc. The company is based in Tennessee and supplies horse, human and dog supplements.
“I have zero tolerance for individuals who take advantage of a senior’s trust,” Kander said. “Before investing your hard-earned savings, I encourage all Missourians to call my office to make sure the investment is legitimate.”
The order alleges Roberts contacted the Missouri investor, a widow of three years, in late 2013 or early 2014 and began taking her out on dates. In January 2014, he moved in with her. In March, the investor purchased a new truck for $43,660.21 as a gift for Roberts. In April 2014, Roberts obtained a $250,000 investment in Maximum Performance from her.
The order also alleges that eight days after receiving the $250,000 investment, Roberts took the investor to a hospital and reported that she was having hallucinations, difficulty unlocking doors and failed to recognize her own home. Medical evaluations subsequently indicated that she suffered from significant cognitive weaknesses, possibly including Alzheimer’s and dementia. Four days after she was admitted to the hospital, Roberts contacted a law firm to help him become legally appointed as her guardian or conservator.
Roberts also admitted to Kander’s office that his ex-wife moved into the investor’s home, and neither he nor his ex-wife disclosed their previous relationship to the investor. The order also alleges that Roberts failed to tell the resident about his arrest, conviction and sentencing for mail fraud, and that he filed for bankruptcy in 2004.
Kander’s order seeks restitution, fines and costs of the investigation.
For more information, call (800) 721-7996 or visit www.MissouriSafeSavings.com.
