An Ottawa County man has been arraigned on more than 30 charges related to an alleged Ponzi scheme.
Scott Rookus of Jenison faces 33 charges in an alleged investment scheme netting about $1.5 million.
The charges were filed by Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette’s office. Schuette says the majority of the 45-year-old man’s alleged victims were senior citizens.
The scheme is said to have run from June 2010 to December 2013 and discovered once Rookus filed for personal bankruptcy in 2015.
He’s accused of encouraging victims to liquidate retirement accounts and other assets, including four counts of embezzlement against individuals of more than $100,000.
Rookus also faces multiple counts of Larceny by Conversion and Fraudulent Sales of Securities.
He was arraigned Tuesday in Ottawa County Circuit Court and released on bond.
