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Press Release

Owner Of Security Training Companies Indicted In Fraud Scheme

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Tennessee

Lee Coleman, Jr., 40, of Antioch, Tennessee was indicted by a federal grand jury today, announced David Rivera, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.  The indictment charges Coleman with wire fraud, mail fraud, credit card fraud, and aggravated identity theft arising from his operation and management of International Executive Services LLC, Advancement Solutions LLC, and RLC Enterprises, companies that advertised security-related job training and job placement services.

“This defendant is charged with perpetrating a wide-ranging fraud that harmed thousands of victims,” said Acting U.S. Attorney David Rivera.  “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to protecting consumers from such scams and to bring to justice those responsible.” 

"The Secret Service has a long history of working to combat financial fraud,” stated United States Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Todd Hudson.  “The investigation of criminal conduct like that allegedly committed by the defendant will continue to be top priority of the Secret Service."

According to the indictment, Coleman fraudulently induced customers – many of whom are military veterans – to pay registration fees, application fees, and training fees by falsely representing that applicants would receive training in areas including counter-terrorism, counter-assault, and special operations, that applicants would be paid while in training, and that applicants would be guaranteed employment.  Coleman also fraudulently induced payments by falsely representing that applicants had been accepted by fictitious training academies.  Rather than using the fees paid by applicants to arrange the promised training classes or job placement, Coleman used a large portion of these funds to pay for personal expenses.  The indictment further alleges that, as a result of Coleman’s misrepresentations, between 2006 and 2010, more than 2,500 victims were fraudulently induced into paying a total of at least $1,000,000 in fees. The indictment charges that many applicants paid fees exceeding $3,000 and yet were not provided with any training or employment opportunities.

If convicted, Coleman faces up to 25 years in prison for each count of wire fraud and mail fraud and 20 years in prison for each count of credit card fraud, as well as an additional two year mandatory sentence for aggravated identity theft.  If convicted, Coleman also faces possible fines and the forfeiture of property derived from or used in violation the offenses charged.

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.  Additional assistance was provided by the United States Postal Inspection Service and Metro-Nashville Police Department.  The United States is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney William F. Abely.

An indictment is merely an accusation and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Updated March 19, 2015