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Fraudsters jailed over €5.5m Ponzi scheme targeting retired investors are made liable for debts
Summary
In a High Court ruling, Mr Justice Brian O'Moore declared that Garret Hevey and David Peile, jailed in 2019 for a €5.5 million forestry investment Ponzi scheme, were personally liable for Arden FM's debts. Hevey was ordered liable for €3.8 million, while Peile was ordered liable for an unspecified portion that will be determined at a future hearing. The court found that Arden FM, operated by the pair, had deceived mainly older foreign investors into believing their money would purchase forest land and yield returns after tree sales. In reality, the company spent only €133,000 on 30 acres of land and returned €393,000 to investors. The liquidator, Declan De Lacy, sought the orders, and the judge confirmed the fraudulent nature of the scheme and the defendants' intent to defraud creditors. The case remains at the stage of finalising Peile's liability. Garret Hevey pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Fraudsters jailed over €5.5m Ponzi scheme targeting retired investors are made liable for debts. Charges or matters: offences including deception and fraud; dishonestly inducing investment in Arden FM between January 1, 2014 and June 13, 2016; three charges of inducing individuals by deception to make payments on dates between September 2015 and May 2016; dishonestly inducing investment in Arden FM between January 1, 2014 and June 13, 2016 and pleaded guilty to two charges of inducing individuals by deception to make payments on dates between September 2015 and May 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 2013 Other
- January 1, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 13, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2024-02-16 Publication
Why: Peile claimed the orders sought against him could not be granted because he was adjudicated a bankrupt in the UK in 2019. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: offences including deception and fraud; dishonestly inducing investment in Arden FM between January 1, 2014 and June 13, 2016; three charges of inducing individuals by deception to make payments on dates between September 2015 and May 2016; dishonestly inducing investment in Arden FM between January 1, 2014 and June 13, 2016 and pleaded guilty to two charges of inducing individuals by deception to make payments on dates between September 2015 and May 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Photo: Collins) The High Court has ruled that two fraudsters who were jailed for targeting retired investors through a €5.5m forestry investment "Ponzi scheme" should be made personally liable for the company's debts. Hevey was sentenced to a total of four years imprisonment, which was increased to six years following an appeal by the DPP.
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