New York Advisor Receives 17-Year Prison Sentence Over Ponzi Scheme

Posted on January 18th, 2022 at 1:43 PM
New York Advisor Receives 17-Year Prison Sentence Over Ponzi Scheme

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law:

 

A New York-based advisor, Perry Santillo, received a 17-year prison sentence for his role in operating a Ponzi scheme that generated at least $115 million from more than 1,000 investors. 

Santillo received the sentence two years after pleading guilty to mail fraud and conspiracy. Also, a federal judge has ordered Santillo to pay $103 million in restitution. The complaint alleged that Santillo and others convinced clients to cash in their retirement accounts and invest in sham companies that were managed by the co-conspirators. Santillo utilized the funds from newer investors to repay earlier investors, according to court documents. 

The fraud is somewhat unique because Santillo and the co-conspirators continued duping new investors by acquiring numerous investment advisory firms and brokerages across the country as well as their client lists. According to court documents, the co-conspirators acquired advisory firms in Tennessee, Ohio, Minnesota, Nevada, California, Florida, South Carolina, Texas, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Indiana. Santillo used some of the ill-gained funds to purchase cars, casino junkets and houses in multiple states, according to investigators. 

Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, regulatory and disciplinary matters.

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, prison sentence, ponzi scheme

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

You were most helpful with my FINRA deposition. You are a good lawyer and a good person.

Dan B.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

December 22, 2025
FINRA Overhauls Arbitration Rules to Rebalance Arbitrator Selection and Codify Forum Practices

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has approved significant amendments to its Codes of Arbitration Procedure designed to rebalance public arbitrator selection, increase transparency, and formalize several long-standing practices in the arbitration forum.

December 19, 2025
Industry Groups Press Senate at Advance Financial Exploitation Prevention Act

Several industry associations are urging the U.S. Senate to pass the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act, legislation that would allow mutual fund companies and their transfer agents to delay redemptions when they reasonably suspect elder financial abuse.

December 18, 2025
UBS Warns of Rising Default Risk in Private Credit

A UBS report signals that credit stress likely will intensify next year as borrowers confront inflation, elevated interest costs, and softening consumer conditions.