A former Florida Marlins player and his wife are the alleged victims of a fraudulent investment scheme orchestrated by a Fort Lauderdale man, who has been arrested on charges of grand theft and money laundering. Lonnie Wayne Moss, 54, is accused of promising Todd Hollandsworth, the former Major League Baseball outfielder, and his wife, Marci, a return of $12.5 million on an investment of $325,000, as reported by Local10. The couple has received $0 in returns.
The investment took place on Feb. 28, 2022, with the signing of a contract with Arpad, LLC. Having a "personal relationship" with Moss did not safeguard their funds, Marci and Todd Hollandsworth found as they realized the promised financial windfall was not forthcoming. The Hollandsworths reported the alleged crime to police and have filed a lawsuit, according to Local10.
Investigations by the Fort Lauderdale Police Department's Economic Crimes Unit shed light on Moss' expenditures. Within the month of March 2022 alone, over $75,000 was found to have been spent on items unrelated to any investment, such as clothing, travel, and dinners, as detailed in the police statements. The remaining funds, according to an affidavit, were wired to a West Palm Beach investment firm operated by an "unknown person," Local10 reported.
As their attorney is yet to respond to inquiries, the Hollandsworths are taking the legal route, seeking nearly $1 million in damages through a civil suit. This suit alleges fraud, civil theft, and breach of contract. Apparently being arrested on Thursday, Moss' bond was set at $250,000 and he appeared in court the following morning, not having retained legal representation for the criminal or civil cases, Local10 notes. Meanwhile, there were no criminal charges recorded for his wife as of last Friday.
