Oh My Fraud

Burned by Solar


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In the era of climate change, it isn’t just about saving the planet using sustainable methods of energy, it’s about making a fortune from sustainable methods of energy. In this episode, Caleb and Greg discuss the story of DC Solar, a manufacturer of mobile solar generators.

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  • (00:00) - Introduction to the Unlikely Innovator
  • (01:00) - Listener Reviews and Reactions
  • (02:16) - Jeff Karpoff's Early Life and Struggles
  • (09:19) - The Birth of DC Solar
  • (12:27) - The Solar Eclipse Generator
  • (13:36) - Hollywood's Interest and Initial Success
  • (25:21) - Cracks in the Business Model
  • (29:30) - The Ponzi Scheme Unveiled
  • (30:58) - Jeff Karpoff's Extravagant Lifestyle
  • (32:47) - NASCAR Sponsorship and DC Solar's Rise
  • (35:18) - The IRS and Investor Scrutiny
  • (36:29) - Bogus Reports and Fake Leases
  • (38:18) - Massive Deals and Manufacturing Issues
  • (39:49) - Fraudulent Practices Unveiled
  • (53:02) - The Whistleblower and Legal Consequences
  • (56:57) - The Aftermath and Loose Ends
  • (58:30) - Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts

  • HOW TO EARN FREE CPE

    In less than 10 minutes, you can earn 1 hour of NASBA-approved accounting CPE after listening to this episode. Download our mobile app, sign up, and look for the Oh My Fraud channel. Register for the course, complete a short quiz, and get your CPE certificate.

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    CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS

    Greg Kyte, CPA
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregkyte
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkyte/

    Caleb Newquist
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnewquist
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calebnewquist/

    Email us at [email protected]

    Sources:

    • The Billion-Dollar Ponzi Scheme That Hooked Warren Buffett and the U.S. Treasury [The Atlantic]
    • Massive $1 billion solar power ponzi scheme results in the largest single-owner car collection ever auctioned by the U.S. Marshals Service — including Burt Reynolds’ Trans Am [AP]
    • Obama Administration Announces Columbus, OH Winner of the $40 Million Smart City Challenge to Pioneer the Future of Transportation [WH]
    • Federal agents raid home, business of Martinez resident [Martinez News-Gazette]
    • DC Solar companies file Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Carpoffs leave leadership roles [Martinez News-Gazette]
    • DC Solar files Chapter 11 bankruptcy, court papers show multi-million dollar debt [Martinez News-Gazette]
    • Two plead guilty to participation in a Ponzi scheme involving $2.5 billion in transactions and $1 billion in loss [DOJ]
    • Third Conspirator Pleads Guilty to Participation in a Ponzi Scheme Involving $2.5B in Transactions and $1B in Loss [DOJ]
    • Fourth Conspirator Pleads Guilty to Participation in a Ponzi Scheme Involving $2.5B in Transactions and $1B in Loss [DOJ]
    • Top Executives Plead Guilty to Participating in a Billion Dollar Ponzi Scheme—the Biggest Criminal Fraud Scheme in the History of the Eastern District of California [DOJ]
    • Seventh Conspirator Pleads Guilty to Participation in the DC Solar Ponzi Scheme Involving $2.5B in Transactions and Nearly $1B in Loss [DOJ]
    • DC Solar Owner Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Billion Dollar Ponzi Scheme [DOJ]
    • DC Solar Owner Sentenced to Over 11 Years in Prison for Billion Dollar Ponzi Scheme [DOJ]
    • Pleasant Hill man sentenced to 6.5 years in prison for billion dollar DC Solar Ponzi scheme [IRS]
    • Vacaville Man Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison for Billion Dollar DC Solar Ponzi Scheme [DOJ]
    • ​​Nixon Peabody Gets OK For Deal With DC Solar Investors [Law360]
    • Berkshire Takes Tax Hit as Victim of ‘Ponzi-Type’ Solar Scheme [Bloomberg]
    • Martinez Clippers [Wikipedia] 
    • City ends Clippers license agreement [Martinez News-Gazette]
    • Carpoff’s seized auto collection headed to auction [Martinez News-Gazette]
    • Nearly 150 Collector Cars Seized in an FBI Raid Head to Auction [Motortrend]
    ...more
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    Oh My FraudBy Caleb Newquist

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