REPORT: Ponzi Pitchman Found Dead In Florida Of Apparent Suicide

Daniel Joseph Sebastian, accused last year by the SEC of being a pitchman for the James D. Risher Ponzi scheme, has been found dead in Florida of an apparent suicide, The Ledger.com is reporting.

Risher, a 61-year-old recidivist felon last living in Sanibel, Fla., pleaded guilty to Ponzi-related offenses last year and was sentenced to 19 years and seven months in federal prison.

Sebastian, 49, pushed the scheme on senior citizens, church members, educators and golfers, the SEC charged last year.

He was found dead in a van last week, TheLedger reported, citing information from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

The scheme gathered about $22 million, with Sebastian conducting business as “Safe Harbor,” the SEC charged last year.