Ponzi Scheme Investigation: deeproot Funds and Robert Mueller
Our law office is investigating arbitration cases against the financial advisors who marketed deeproot Funds to investors. If you or someone you know invested in a deeproot fund, including 575 fund or dGRD, please call us at 800-767-8040 for a free and confidential consultation.
What is the lawsuit about deeproot Funds about?
On August 20, 2021, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed a lawsuit against Robert Mueller, deeproot Funds and Policy Services, Inc. In that lawsuit, the SEC alleged the deeproot was a complicated “ponzi-like” scheme. The SEC also alleges that Robert Mueller was misappropriating money from deeproot to support his lavish personal lifestyle. Our law firm is interested in pursuing cases against the financial advisors that recommended the funds to investors.
What is the likelihood that deeproot Funds will be able to repay investors?
Low. Deeproot funds filed for bankruptcy in early December 2021.
What is the likelihood that deeproot Fund investors will be able to recover from Robert Mueller?
Unfortunately, also low. The government is alleging that Mueller used investor funds to pay for his children’s tuition, two of his weddings and a condo in Hawaii. When Robert Mueller was asked about personal expenditures during a Securities and Exchange Commission examination, he declined to answer, citing the fifth amendment. Mr. Mueller has not been charged with a crime and there has yet to be a finding of liability against him.
How else can investors in deeproot recover?
Investors may be able to pursue arbitration cases against the financial advisors that marketed the funds. We believe the advisors who recommended deeproot funds failed to undertake reasonable due diligence into the offerings. Please contact us at 800-767-8040 and ask to speak with attorneys Marc Fitapelli or Jeffrey Saxon to discuss this matter further.
Who qualifies for potential recovery?
If you purchased membership interests in deeproot 575 Fund, LLC or deeproot Growth Runds Deep Fund (dGRD Fund) between September 2015 and February 2021, you may qualify for recovery. Please contact us immediately to discuss this further. We will need to know the name of the advisor or salesperson who sold the investment to you.
Summary of SEC’s allegations against deeproot
- From September 2015 to February 2021, Robert Mueller and deeproot defrauded approximately 300 investors who invested approximately $58 million in the funds.
- The funds were called the deeproot 575 Fund, LLC and the deeproot Growth Runs Deep Fund, LLC.
- Many investors in deeproot 575 Fund, LLC and the deeproot Growth Runds Deep Fund, LLC were retirees who were persuaded to cash out of annuities or IRA accounts.
- Investors in deeproot 575 Fund, LLC committed their principal for five years and elected to either receive simple annual interest of 7% or 5% paid monthly (hence the name 5-7-5).
- deeproot Growth Runs Deep Fund, LLC (also called dGRD Fund) represented to investors that their assets would be invested in life insurance policies. These representations were false.
- Robert Mueller co-mingled the assets of the deeproot funds and misappropriated money to support his lifestyle.
- Investor distributions were “ponzi-like” and deeproot did not operate any profitable or genuine businesses.