Do We Have A Mini-Bernie Madoff Ponzie Scheme Right Here In Greenwich?
THE HEADLINES:
YOU THOUGHT FAIRFIELD GREENWICH GROUP WAS BAD:
What About WG Trading?
Paul Greenwood And Stephen Walsh Make Greenwich Resident Walter "Feeder Fund" Noel Look Like A Boy Scout
University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University files Federal lawsuit against Greenwich Traders Paul Greenwood and Stephen Walsh
Pitt and CMU have also notified the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission About Greenwood And Walsh
THE QUOTE:
"We don't want to talk with you. Why would we want to talk to a reporter," said a woman at Paul Greenwood's Westchester, N.Y., home who identified herself as his wife.
THE SOURCE:
Pitt, Carnegie Mellon suing investment manager
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
THE REPORTERS:
By Len Boselovic and Jonathan D. Silver
THE STORY:
The University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University yesterday filed suit against Westridge Capital Management and its operators, seeking the immediate return of more than $114 million they invested. They also asked a federal judge to appoint a receiver to oversee the investment manager.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, comes after the two universities said they were unable to collect the money from Westridge or get documentation regarding the status of their money from Westridge's principal partners, Paul Greenwood and Stephen Walsh.
Mr. Greenwood and Mr. Walsh were suspended last week by the National Futures Association, an industry regulatory agency, after they failed to cooperate with an audit the association launched on Feb. 5....
... They became concerned after the Chicago-based National Futures Association took action against Mr. Greenwood and Mr. Walsh for not answering questions about more than $500 million in loans made by two Westridge investment funds to WG Trading Investors, a Greenwich, Conn., firm whose managing general partners are Mr. Greenwood and Mr. Walsh
Late yesterday, U.S. District Court Judge Terrence F. McVerry issued a temporary restraining order against Mr. Greenwood, Mr. Walsh, Westridge, WG Trading Investors and two commodities funds.
The order freezes their accounts, allowing the companies to pay normal business expenses, including payroll, but prohibiting paychecks to Mr. Greenwood or Mr. Walsh.
It also prohibits Mr. Greenwood and Mr. Walsh from "concealing, transferring, gifting, encumbering, selling, liquidating or conveying" assets, including money in bank accounts.
They and their four affiliates are also prohibited from destroying, concealing or disposing records.....
.....According to the lawsuit, $324 million from the enhanced index funds was loaned to WG Trading Investors, an entity controlled by Mr. Greenwood and Mr. Walsh.
A second commodities fund, WG Trading Co., also managed by Mr. Greenwood and Mr. Walsh, loaned $194.5 million to WG Trading Investors, the complaint stated.
Mr. Greenwood and Mr. Walsh "have converted investor funds for their own use," the lawsuit said.......
.....According to the lawsuit, Mr. Kennedy flew to New York on Monday and called on Westridge offices in Greenwich and Jersey City, N.J. Attorneys at both offices declined to turn over documents.
When Mr. Kennedy asked at the Connecticut office who was in charge, an attorney there said "that the answer was 'tricky,' " according to the lawsuit.
CMU notified the Commodity Futures Trading Commission the following day and in a Wednesday phone call urged the agency to investigate.
The lawsuit indicates CMU also contacted the SEC, which is in the midst of several high-profile investigations, including the alleged $50 billion Ponzi scheme operated by New York investment manager Bernie Madoff......
.....When Mr. Lawrence inquired about Pitt's investment, they told him they believed the "money was there."
But they also said they could not be certain because they had not spoken with Mr. Greenwood or Mr. Walsh.
Later that day, Pitt treasurer Amy March asked Mr. Carder why the futures association said the enhanced index funds managed $1.3 billion in assets when Mr. Greenwood had told Mr. Lawrence on Jan. 21 that the figure was $2.8 billion. Mr. Carder responded that the $2.8 billion figure was actually $1.8 billion.
The lawsuit said that Mr. Carder told CMU officials on Sunday that his career was over and he expressed shock over the conduct of his "partners of more than 20 years."
In their joint statement, the schools said there is "insufficient information available" to determine how many entities or accounts Mr. Greenwood and Mr. Walsh control, the account balances, the financial condition of each entity, or when investors will get their money.
Posted: 02/18/2009 10:16:19 PM EST
According to documents from the National Futures Association, the Chicago-based group began auditing Greenwood and Walsh on Feb. 5. They have been registered as commodity pool operators since 1997.
"There is serious concern that they may have something to hide," she said. "Maybe they don't, but it smells really bad."
Paul Greenwood at WG Trading Company Greenwich Connecticut ...
Paul Greenwood at WG Trading Company in Greenwich, Connecticut. Contact: Paul Greenwood, Phone: 203-629-7628
CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY et al v. WESTRIDGE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. et al
Plaintiffs: CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY and UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
Defendants:WESTRIDGE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC., WG TRADING COMPANY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, WESTRIDGE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT ENHANCEMENT FUNDS, INC., WG TRADING INVESTORS, LP, PAUL GREENWOOD, STEPHEN WALSH, JACK ELDRED REYNOLDS, JAMES CARDER and DEBORAH DUFFY
Case Number: 2:2009cv00215
Filed: February 20, 2009
Court: Pennsylvania Western District Court
Office: Pittsburgh Office
County: Allegheny
Presiding Judge: Terrence F. McVerry
Nature of Suit: Other Statutes - Securities/Commodities/Exchanges
Cause: 28:1337 Sherman-Clayton Act
Jurisdiction: Federal
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