NEWS RELEASE National Meda Hot Line 202-268-3700 |SMedainquries@uspis gov UNITED STATES POSTAL INSPECTION SERVICE LOS ANGELES DIVISION FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 17, 2011 Contact: Postal Inspector Renee Focht 626-405-1285 or 626-672-5517 mmfocht@uspis,gov POSTAL INSPECTORS SEEK PUBLIC’S ASSISTANCE TO LOCATE FATHER AND SON CHARGED IN $20 MILLION FRAUD Postal Inspectors are seeking the public's assistance to locate a father-son team wanted on mail fraud charges. Robert Louis Carver, 56, previously of Irvine, and his son, Robert Louis Carver Il, 36, formerly of Mission Viejo, ‘were indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury in Santa Ana, California. The 14-count indictment alleges the two men engaged in a scheme that biked over 300 investors out of move than $20 milion. ‘According to the indictment, the Carvers operated their scheme under several business names — Brookstone Capital, Brookstone Biotech Ventures Il (BBV lI) and Lincoln Funds International, all of which were based in Costa Mesa. Brookstone Capital purported to be an investment company specializing in unique, alternative investment opportunities. BBV Il claimed to offer investments ~-and significant, long-term capital appreciation — in the biotechnology and life sciences industries. As for Lincoln Funds International, promotional materials claimed that it was incorporated in 1996 and had offices in city across the globe, when in fact the company was, incorporated in 2006 and only had the one office in Casta Mesa. Sale agents for the companies solicited investors with various claims and promises, including that the elder Carver had significant business experience and that investors’ money wouldbbe used to purchase stocks. According to the indictment, the Carvers failed to tell potential investors that the senior Carver had a criminal history and had been sued by California regulators. Additionally, the Carvers allegedly failed to file taxes for the businesses and misappropriated investors’ funds, ‘An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unfl and unless proven guilty in court Postal Inspectors urge anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Robert Louis Carver or Robert Louis Carver II to contact the Postal Inspection Service National Law Enforcement Communication Center at 877-876-2458, select option 2, refer to Case No. 1730332-MF. Callers may remain anonymous. This investigation was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The United States Secures and Exchange Commission provided substantial assstance. For additional information, media may contact Assistant United States Altomey Jennifer Waier at (714) 338- 3550 ‘Hit About the U.S. Postal Inspection Service The U.S, Postal Inspection Service is one of the oldest federal law enforcement agencies inthe courity, For more than 200 ‘years, Postal Inspectors have rrotected the U.S, Postal Service, secured the nation's mail system and ensured publ trust in the mall To learn more, vist ios postalnspestors uss. cov.