CFTC wins default judgment against Texas man, firm in commodities fraud case
The CFTC has secured a default judgment in the Northern District of Texas closing out a case first brought in 2023. The court found that Larrick and his firm solicited and misappropriated more than $3 million from participants, promising futures and options trading while running payments in the manner of a Ponzi scheme. This item sets out the findings, the monetary orders and the permanent bans imposed.
- The court ordered a $9,767,625 civil monetary penalty and $3,255,875 in restitution against the defendants.
- The court found the defendants misappropriated more than $3 million while falsely promising to trade futures and options in natural gas, oil and gold.
- The judgment imposes a permanent injunction against further Commodity Exchange Act violations and permanent trading and registration bans.
- The findings describe payments to existing participants akin to a Ponzi scheme, payment of Larrick's personal expenses and transfers to offshore accounts in Costa Rica.
- The order resolves all claims in the CFTC's 2023 complaint, referenced as Press Release No. 8768-23.