More than a dozen Chicago-area clients say Brandon “Mr. Finance” Ellington talked them into taking out sizable loans and pouring tens of thousands of dollars into partnership programs under the Access Capital Today name, then abruptly cut off the promised monthly payouts. Several say they borrowed against their homes or signed on for high-interest loans to join the programs, only to be left scrambling to cover mortgages and other bills. Their accounts have now sparked consumer complaints, at least one civil lawsuit and attention from regulators. Many who spoke to reporters said slick marketing and radio ads made the whole operation look safe and legitimate.
The ABC7 I-Team interviewed Luviner Walker, who says she took out about $50,000 and was promised a $35,000 profit, and Melody Woods, who says she paid $25,000. Others, including Shederick Ricks and Maurice Shelton, described getting a few early payments that then stopped, leaving them in financial trouble, according to ABC7 Chicago. The station reports hearing from more than 10 people across the region who claim losses in the tens of thousands of dollars. Those interviews form the spine of the I-Team’s look at how the program was pitched and what clients say happened when the money stopped flowing.
Ellington, who operates as Brandon “Mr. Finance” and through Access Capital Today Inc., told the station that he has offered refunds and said, "I'm not interested in litigating this through Channel 7," the I-Team reported. He said he has told clients he will "fully refund every person who has not already completed the program" and that some people received payments after the station contacted him. The company’s website previously promoted a tiered Partnership Investment Program with participation levels ranging from $25,000 to $200,000 and projected returns, according to Access Capital Today.
State action and legal filings
The Illinois Attorney General’s office has received multiple consumer complaints, and state securities regulators can require registration for anyone who provides investment advice for compensation. The Secretary of State’s Securities Department outlines registration rules, enforcement tools and administrative procedures on its site, including how to file complaints and review administrative actions. ABC7’s reporting also notes that a temporary order of prohibition has been filed against Ellington and his company and that at least one client has filed a civil lawsuit alleging the business targeted elderly investors.
What to do if you invested
If you invested with Ellington or Access Capital Today, keep every document you can find, including contracts, emails, bank statements and any loan paperwork, and consider contacting your lender about possible stop-payment or fraud protections. You can file a consumer complaint with the Illinois Attorney General through the Illinois Attorney General website, and you may also want to submit a report to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center via IC3. Keep copies of everything you send and consider speaking with an attorney who focuses on consumer-finance or securities cases. Regulators and courts often move slowly as they sort through claims and track funds, so preserving your records is critical if you hope to recover any money.
This story is still unfolding as regulators and courts review filings and administrative records, and the article will be updated when court documents or official orders become public. If you have documents or firsthand information about dealings with Access Capital Today or Brandon Ellington, reporters say those materials can help investigators and may guide other consumers who are trying to figure out their next steps.
