Layton Ponzi scheme defendant's trial delayed to August 2017

A Layton man’s trial on federal allegations of running a Ponzi scheme in California has been set back to Aug. 1, 2017.

U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney in Los Angeles signed an order earlier this month canceling Shawn Patrick Watkins’ Oct. 26 trial after federal public defender Andrea Jacobs requested extended time to conduct an independent investigation of the case.

An Aug. 17 federal grand jury indictment accused Watkins, 46, of mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering. Documents said California real estate investors lost $3.5 million in the alleged Ponzi scheme.

The indictment said Watkins held seminars in Orange County enticing investors into fraudulent real estate opportunities. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said about 50 investors were victimized.

Read more: http://www.standard.net/Courts/2016/10/23/Layton-Ponzi-scheme-defendant-s-trial-delayed-to-August-2017.html