October 26, 2011

CFTC Files Anti-Fraud Action against Idahoan Michael Justin Hoopes for Operating a Multi-Million Dollar Ponzi Scheme that Defrauded Mostly Idaho Residents

Federal court judge freezes defendant’s assets and schedules hearing on November 7

Washington, DC – The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) filed a civil complaint charging Michael Justin Hoopes of Rexburg, Idaho, with fraud and misappropriation in connection with a commodity futures Ponzi scheme that defrauded Idaho residents, among others.

On October 25, 2011, the same day the complaint was filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho, Judge Edward J. Lodge entered an emergency order freezing Hoopes’ assets and prohibiting the destruction of books and records. The judge set a hearing for November 7, 2011.

Specifically, the CFTC complaint alleges that, from at least September 2007 to the present, Hoopes fraudulently solicited and accepted over $2 million from at least 10 persons, most of whom were Idaho residents, for the purpose of trading stock index futures in Aspen Trading, LLC, a commodity pool that he operated. Hoopes also solicited and accepted an additional $9.6 million from other mostly Idaho residents during the same period, of which at least $673,429 was used for futures trading and at least $1,706,663 was commingled with Hoopes’ personal funds, according to the complaint.

Hoopes fraudulently represented to at least two pool participants the potential for profit and the risk of loss of investing in Aspen Trading, claiming that they would earn 20 percent annually on their investments, according to the complaint. Hoopes also allegedly falsely represented that his trading strategy minimized downside market risk, that he was earning annual returns well in excess of 25 percent to 30 percent, and that he had not lost any money in trading.

The complaint further alleges that Hoopes issued false account statements to at least one customer showing that the Aspen Trading account had a $2.2 million balance. In reality, Hoopes allegedly had never opened a trading account in Aspen Trading’s name, and Hoopes had lost or misappropriated most of Aspen Trading’s customer funds that he received. Hoopes allegedly used at least $151,693 of misappropriated customer funds for personal expenses, including credit card, car, and loan payments. Hoopes also made payments of purported profits totaling $594,339 to participants, as is typical of a Ponzi scheme, according to the complaint.

In its continuing litigation against Hoopes, the CFTC seeks a return of ill-gotten gains, restitution to defrauded customers, a civil monetary penalty, permanent trading and registration bans, and a permanent injunction against further violations of federal commodities law.

The CFTC appreciates the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho.

CFTC Division of Enforcement staff members responsible for this case are Susan Gradman, David Slovick, Stephanie Reinhart, Joseph Patrick, Scott Williamson, Rosemary Hollinger and Richard Wagner.

Media Contact
Dennis Holden
202-418-5088

Last Updated: October 26, 2011