Former "Officer Of The Year" From Nebraska Sentenced In $4 Million Ponzi Scheme Fraud

Matthew H. Anselmo, 38, of Bellevue, Nebraska, was sentenced to 4 years in prison for operating a Ponzi-like investment fraud scheme that billed investors out of nearly $4 million. Prosecutors alleged that Anselmo lured investors, mostly family members, friends and business acquaintances, with promises of spectacular returns of as much as 100% in three months or less. Instead, Anselmo reportedly spent the money on maintaining a lavish lifestyle, including gambling junkets as well as paying earlier investors phony returns. Anselmo is a former officer with the Papillion Police Department - and one-time "Officer of the Year" of the department. Prosecutors alleged that Anselmo's scheme spanned 3 years and that nearly all of the investment funds are lost. Anselmo was also ordered to pay $3.7 million in restitution. He was originally charged in a 27 count indictment in May 2009 with wire fraud, money laundering and possession of counterfeit checks. He was the owner/operator of two businesses: M&M Marketing, a golf outing company and Premier Fighter, a mixed martial arts apparel business. Anselmo plead guilty to one count of mail fraud last September.

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