Second Man With Trevor Cook Tie Charged Criminally In Massive Minnesota Ponzi Scheme; Christopher Pettengill Faces Securities-Fraud, Conspiracy And Money-Laundering Accusations

A Minnesota man has become the second person with ties to convicted Ponzi schemer Trevor Cook’s Forex scam to be charged criminally.

Christopher Pettengill, 54, of Plymouth, “knowingly concealed information from investors concerning the foreign currency program sold by Pettengill, Cook, and others,” federal prosecutors said.

He has been charged with securities fraud, money-laundering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, the office of U.S. Attorney B. Todd Jones of the District of Minnesota said.

Cook pleaded guilty in the $194 million caper last year and was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison.

Jon Jason Greco, 40, of Minneapolis, was charged in March with making false statements to federal agents. Greco was accused of hiding loot from the scheme.

Pettengill was accused of lending credibility to the scam and encouraging people to invest money.

“Pettengill allegedly conducted numerous wire transfers during the course of the conspiracy, and on September 3, 2008, he allegedly made a credit card payment of $11,369.19, which was derived from the proceeds of the securities fraud,” prosecutors said.

He faces up to 20 years in prison, if convicted on all counts.

The SEC and CFTC sued Cook and former radio personality Pat Kiley in November 2009. Earlier this year, the SEC filed suit against Jason Bo-Alan Beckman, another alleged promoter of the scam.