September 16, 2014

CFTC Charges Ohio Resident Glen Galemmo with Commodity Pool Fraud in a Multi-Million Dollar Ponzi Scheme

CFTC alleges that Galemmo solicited at least $116 million from pool participants and only deposited approximately $4.7 million of the funds into futures accounts

Washington, DC – The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) filed a civil enforcement Complaint against Defendant Glen Galemmo of Cincinnati, Ohio, charging him with operating a multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme through his firm, QFC, LLC, from February 18, 2010 through at least July 17, 2013.

According to the Complaint filed on September 15, 2014, Galemmo, among other things, made material misrepresentations to commodity pool participants, including the misrepresentation that the pool generated returns of 17 percent to 40 percent from 2008 through 2012. The Complaint also alleges that Galemmo failed to disclose that he failed to trade pool participants’ funds from at least 2003 through May 2011. As alleged, beginning in April 2011, Galemmo only deposited approximately $4.7 million of over $116 million solicited from pool participants into futures accounts that he controlled and sustained total trading losses of approximately $1.2 million. Galemmo also allegedly withdrew or caused to be withdrawn $2.7 million in pool participants’ funds from these futures accounts.

The Complaint further alleges that Galemmo misappropriated pool participant funds for personal and other business uses, and to conceal his fraudulent scheme and misappropriation, Galemmo issued or caused to be issued false account statements to pool participants. 

The Complaint also notes that on January 15, 2014, Galemmo formally pleaded guilty in a related criminal case. See United States v. Glen Galemmo, Case No. 1:13-cr-00141-HJW (S.D. Ohio).

In its continuing litigation, the CFTC seeks a return of ill-gotten gains, restitution, civil monetary penalties, trading and registration bans, and permanent injunctions against further violations of the federal commodities laws, as charged. 

CFTC Division of Enforcement staff members responsible for this case are Eugene Smith, Peter M. Haas, Dmitriy Vilenskiy, and Paul G. Hayeck.

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CFTC’s Commodity Pool Fraud Advisory

The CFTC has issued several customer protection Fraud Advisories that provide the warning signs of fraud, including the Commodity Pool Fraud Advisory, which warns customers about a type of fraud that involves individuals and firms, often unregistered, offering investments in commodity pools.

Customers can report suspicious activities or information, such as possible violations of commodity trading laws, to the CFTC Division of Enforcement via a Toll-Free Hotline 866-FON-CFTC (866-366-2382) or file a tip or complaint online. 

Media Contact
Dennis Holden
202-418-5088

Last Updated: September 16, 2014