URGENT >> BULLETIN >> MOVING: Feds Filed Forfeiture Complaint Against Property Linked To MPB Today MLM Operator, Who Is Subject Of Fraud Probe

Gary A. Calhoun

Gary A. Calhoun

URGENT >> BULLETIN >> MOVING: Gary A. Calhoun is the subject of a criminal probe linked to a civil-forfeiture action in federal court in the Northern District of Florida, according to court filings by his attorney.

Calhoun, 56, is the operator of the MPB Today MLM, which is tied to a grocery-delivery business in Pensacola known as Southeastern Delivery. In July, federal prosecutors filed a forfeiture action against a property at 8812 Grow Drive, also known as Grow Road, in Pensacola. The property is the business address of Southeastern Delivery and also the address of a Calhoun-controlled entity known as WL Property Holdings LLC.

The affidavit in the forfeiture case was filed under seal. But the forfeiture case, according to prosecution filings, was brought to enforce 18 USC § 1028 and 18 USC § 1029, statutes dealing with access-device fraud and fraud in connection with identification documents.

Calhoun was arrested last month in Florida on a state-level charge of racketeering. The existence of the federal documents may mean that Calhoun also has exposure under federal criminal law. The forfeiture complaint also cites the federal wire-fraud and conspiracy statutes.

Some promos for MPB Today in 2010 were targeted at federal Food Stamp recipients. The U.S. Department of Agriculture told the PP Blog in 2010 that it had opened a “review” into claims about the MPB Today “program.” The agency later described the matter as an investigation.

A news release apparently authored by an MPB Today affiliate in 2010 encouraged impoverished prospects to sell $200 worth of Food Stamps to a “friend, family member or whoever” to raise cash to join the the MPB Today program.

In September, Calhoun asked for the forfeiture case to be stayed because of a parallel criminal probe. A federal judge granted the request.

When prosecutors filed the July forfeiture action, they noted that “[t]he facts and circumstances supporting the seizure and forfeiture of the defendant property are contained in a sealed affidavit, so as not to publish the facts of an ongoing criminal investigation.”

On Sept. 24, Calhoun’s lawyer noted in a court filing that he “has confirmed that Mr. Calhoun is, at a minimum, a subject in the related criminal investigation.”

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6 Responses to “URGENT >> BULLETIN >> MOVING: Feds Filed Forfeiture Complaint Against Property Linked To MPB Today MLM Operator, Who Is Subject Of Fraud Probe”

  1. Quick note: Access-device fraud involves the use of credit cards and debit cards. I’m wondering — and I’m just speculating — if all the Walmart cards distributed by MPB Today backfired in a big way.

    On Sept. 25, 2010, the PP Blog reported that, “in yet-another pitch for MPB Today, a promoter is shown opening an envelope mailed through the U.S. Postal Service. Inside the envelope was another envelope, which appeared to include U.S. postage.

    “The inner envelope contained a prepaid Walmart Visa card and a Walmart gift card.”

    http://patrickpretty.com/2010/09/25/another-mpb-today-pitch-page-that-uses-walmarts-name-in-registered-domain-surfaces-more-check-waving-promos-using-name-of-distressed-bank-elsewhere-on-web/

    For additional background:

    http://patrickpretty.com/2010/10/09/another-mpb-today-site-uses-walmarts-name-in-domain-name-positions-grocery-biz-as-freedom-club-in-domain-hidden-behind-proxy-uses-images-of-buffet-trump-and-late-sam-walton/

    http://patrickpretty.com/2010/10/14/developing-story-a-second-reference-to-mpb-today-rebates-domain-implies-company-offers-cash-to-join-email-address-on-affiliate-site-associated-with-defunct-company-in-miami-no-immediate-commen/

    http://patrickpretty.com/2010/10/13/yet-another-website-with-mpb-today-promo-uses-walmarts-name-in-domain-name-site-targets-spanish-speakers-waves-check-gift-card-displays-images-of-buffet-trump-walmart/

    Patrick

  2. This makes me so very sad. Gary Calhoun is a decent guy. He tried his best to get the ones that were misrepresenting the MPB business to stop. He made statements that he would drop those people from the business if they didn’t follow the guidelines. He didn’t condone any of the actions of those that were trying to have people misuse the food stamp program and he stated very early on that it was NOT okay to post pictures of checks online.
    I am sorry to see him going thru this.

  3. But, he kept the money anyway,

    Just to ease his “pain” of course.

  4. Generally speaking, What is, and what prompts a “civil forfeiture? “

  5. Alere Feller: Generally speaking, What is, and what prompts a “civil forfeiture? ”

    U.S. law has a provision that provides for the forfeiture of property that constitutes or derives from a “specified unlawful activity.”

    As an example, in the AdSurfDaily Ponzi case, the proceeds were linked to the crime of wire fraud, thus resulting in the forfeiture of the money.

    See this for more info:

    http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/981

    Patrick

  6. […] July, federal prosecutors filed a forfeiture complaint for a property at 8812 Grow Drive, also known as Grow Road, in Pensacola. The property is the […]