Argent Manager Jailed For Fraud

Samuel Green, a former manager for New York-based financial group Argent, was part of a two-year scheme that involved bad loans in Hillsborough, Lee, Pinellas and Polk counties, the attorney general’s office said.

Green and five co-defendants, including former Vice President Orson Benn and  Scott Almeida, were prosecuted by the attorney general’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.

Almeida and his associates secured financing by submitting fraudulent documents to Argent, prosecutors said. Green, as a manager for Argent, approved or oversaw the approval of much of these activities. Fraudulent capital raising  valued at $13 million were submitted to Argent, prosecutors said.

Green was charged with racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering. He was found guilty Aug. 28.

The joint investigation was conducted by the Office of Statewide Prosecution, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Hillsborough County Consumer Protection Agency, the Tampa Police Department and the Pinellas County Department of Justice.

Almeida pleaded guilty in October 2007 and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Benn was convicted by a jury in July and was sentenced in September to 18 years in prison.

Co-defendant Bradford Peck pleaded guilty and was sentenced to eight years in prison.

Co-defendants Frank Giffone and Adrienne White pleaded guilty, and both were sentenced to five years in prison.