Ohio Attorney General\u2019s information<\/i><\/p>\n
BRYAN — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Commerce today announced a settlement with northwest Ohio residents who were accused of using their charity to solicit funds for Profitable Sunrise — an alleged international pyramid scheme.<\/p>\n
Under the agreement, filed in the Williams County Court of Common Pleas, Nancy Jo Frazer of Bryan and Albert Rosebrock of Sherwood agree not to hold a position with a charitable organization and not to sell securities in Ohio.<\/p>\n
They also agree to dissolve their charity, most recently known as Defining Vision Ministries Inc., and to turn over charitable assets to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office to be used for charitable purposes.<\/p>\n
In the event that Frazer or Rosebrock violate the terms of the injunction, they will be subject to a judgment in the amount of $710,000.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Ohio Attorney General\u2019s Office is charged with ensuring that charitable funds are used as intended,\u201d Attorney General DeWine said. \u201cUnder this settlement, these individuals agree to dissolve their charity, to cease all charitable activities in Ohio, and to stay out of the securities business in Ohio. We believe this is a fair resolution to a case that underscores the importance of researching charities and being skeptical of claims that are too good to be true.\u201d<\/p>\n
The state had alleged that the defendants violated Ohio\u2019s securities and charitable laws by using their charity, previously known as Focus Up Ministries, to solicit investments for Profitable Sunrise.<\/p>\n
Profitable Sunrise, before it was shut down by federal and international authorities, claimed to be a Christian company that would use investment proceeds to help charities and provide investors with large returns.<\/p>\n
The Williams County case was handled jointly by the Ohio Attorney General\u2019s Office, which enforces the state\u2019s charitable laws, and the Ohio Department of Commerce, which regulates securities in the state of Ohio.<\/p>\n