UPDATED 1:15 P.M. EDT U.S.A. It has happened in previous cases involving alleged violations of federal securities laws, and now it’s happening with Traffic Monsoon.
“The Peiffer Rosca Wolf law firm is investigating Traffic Monsoon, LLC and Charles Scoville’s alleged Ponzi scheme on behalf of investors – whom Traffic Monsoon called ‘members,’” the firm said in a PR release today.
How the firm would proceed is unclear. The announcement, however, potentially means Traffic Monsoon and Scoville will be facing litigation on a front separate from the Ponzi case filed by the SEC on July 26.
After the 2008 AdSurfDaily Ponzi case was filed by the U.S. Secret Service, private attorneys filed a racketeering complaint against ASD operator Andy Bowdoin (and others) that helped out a second Ponzi scheme known as AdViewGlobal.
Class-action attorneys also filed complaints in the TelexFree and Zeek Ponzi- and pyramid cases. Certain TelexFree-related actions alleged racketeering and referenced a “program” similar to Traffic Monsoon: My AdvertisingPays. There also were counts of fraud against TelexFree principals and some individual promoters.
Even if they don’t result in a recovery, the actions filed by private individuals — as opposed to government plaintiffs — force defendants to confront litigation on multiple fronts. Defense costs may soar.
“The Peiffer Rosca Wolf lawyers are preparing to take action and seek compensation on behalf of those who invested in the alleged Ponzi scheme orchestrated by Traffic Monsoon and Scoville,” the firm said.
Traffic Monsoon gathered at least $207 million, according to the SEC.