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Meyer Wilson Investigates Investment Adviser John Woods for “Horizon Private Equity” Ponzi Scheme

John Woods (CRD # 1949233) is a former investment adviser with Southport Capital and Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. Woods has been accused by federal regulators with engaging in a ponzi scheme, called “Horizon Private Equity,” that took $110M from 400 investors in 20 states between 2008 and 2021.

What is a Ponzi Scheme and How did “Horizon Private Equity” Work?

A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment scheme that promises high returns to investors, often without a legitimate underlying business or investment strategy. The scheme relies on using funds from new investors to pay returns to earlier investors, creating the illusion of profit. As long as new investments keep coming in, the scheme appears to work, but it inevitably collapses when there aren't enough new investors to sustain the payouts. This leaves later investors with substantial losses, while the orchestrator of the scheme siphons off funds for personal gain.

Along with his brother, Jim Woods, and others including Michael Mooney, Arthur Brown, Penny Flippen, and Britt Wright, Woods orchestrated the “Horizon Private Equity” Ponzi scheme by targeting elderly investors with the promise of 6-7% annual returns that were safe. Investors were told that they would be able to get their principal back without any penalty. In its complaint, the SEC found that these claims were patently false, that Woods lied to investigators, and that the scheme failed to generate legitimate profits. Consequently, returns to early investors were paid with the funds from new investors resulting in enormous losses to investors.  

Customer Disputes Filed Against John Woods

According to John Woods’s BrokerCheck report, he has an astounding 54 public disclosures, with 53 coming since August 2021 which relate to the “Horizon Private Equity” Ponzi scheme. Of the 53 disclosures related to the Ponzi scheme, 28 have already been settled for large six- and seven-figure totals. 

Settled disputes against John Woods related to the Horizon Private Equity Ponzi scheme include:

  • September 2021 for $35,500,000.
  • November 2021 for $5,000,000
  • March 2022 for $3,100,000.
  • March 2022 for $2,575,000.
  • November 2021 for $2,500,000.

If you believe that you were a victim of John Woods or the Horizon Private Equity Ponzi scheme, you need to speak with an attorney. An attorney can help you determine your legal options.

Your Rights If You Sustained Losses Related to Broker Misconduct

If you were the victim of this Ponzi scheme, you have the right to an attorney. You have the right to pursue a claim for damages against any and all liable parties. You also have the right to hold wrongful parties accountable for their misconduct. 

Did You Suffer Losses After Investing with John Woods?

At Meyer Wilson, we represent investors who have suffered losses due to investment fraud or broker misconduct. Our lawyers have secured over $350 million on behalf of clients nationwide. We have represented over a thousand investors and will fight for you and your family.

If you sustained losses after investing with John woods or another broker accused of wrongdoing, you need to contact our office to schedule a free consultation. Call (866) 761-1981 to speak directly with an experienced investment fraud lawyer.

We have decades of combined legal experience and are nationally recognized for our successful litigation and arbitration of investment fraud cases. Do not hesitate. Call now to get started.

The information contained in The Firm’s posts on its blog, fraud alerts, investigations or elsewhere on the site is based upon information obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, news outlets and federal, state, and regulatory agency filings. All suspects and subjects of postings herein are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law or administrative action and any and all crimes are alleged until a court or regulatory agency finds otherwise .

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