Executive Assistant In Investment Scheme Sentenced To Six Years

Orlando, FL – U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron yesterday sentenced Kim Rivers (47, Windermere) to six years in federal prison for three counts of aggravated identity theft. The Court also ordered Rivers to pay restitution to the victims in the amount of $1,160,284.

According to court documents, Michael and Kim Rivers created an international bank software company called Global Business Genesis, LLC (“GBG”). The company was headquartered in Orlando, Florida. Michael Rivers was the Chief Executive Officer and Kim Rivers was the Executive Assistant of GBG. During the course of the conspiracy, Michael and Kim Rivers created and provided forged and false documents to potential investors. They also made false statements to investors. For example, on December 11, 2012, Michael Rivers sent an e-mail to Kim Rivers, giving her instructions on how to portray herself as an employee of a law firm. The e-mail detailed how Kim Rivers would pretend to be an administrative assistant at the firm. The e-mail further detailed how another co-conspirator would pretend to be an associate at the law firm.

In January 2013, Michael Rivers was in London trying to solicit investors. After receiving some resistance from investors, Michael Rivers suggested calling the law firm to speak with an attorney who could vouch for the authenticity of GBG and its license agreements. Michael Rivers called Kim Rivers, who pretended to work at the law firm. A co-conspirator then pretended to be an associate at the firm and stated that due diligence had been conducted.

In addition to the forged attorney documents, Michael and Kim Rivers told state and federal courts, the government, creditors, and opposing litigants, that Michael Rivers had debilitating cancer and was receiving treatment in Argentina. Michael and Kim Rivers often claimed that Michael Rivers was medically incapacitated in Argentina. They stated that because of his illness, Michael and Kim Rivers were unable to appear in court, at depositions, and at meetings in the United States. Those false representations were made in letters, e-mails, filings in state and federal court, hearings in court, and in depositions. The statements were also made by agents representing the couple.

During the execution of the search warrants in this case, law enforcement officers found items including correspondence, templates, letterhead, altered documents, and computer images of signatures and seals, which were used during the course of the offenses. These items included the elements used to create the forged documents, including attorney letters, letters from doctors concerning cancer treatment in Argentina and in Florida, insurance documents concerning cancer treatment, and forged documents from financial institutions and government entities.

Michael Rivers (56, Windermere) pleaded guilty on March 20, 2014 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, eight counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, eight counts of money laundering, and three counts of aggravated identity theft. He is currently awaiting sentencing.

This case was investigated by U.S. Secret Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher LaForgia, Daniel Irick, and Nicole Andrejko.