An 85-year-old retiree from Kentucky has filed a lawsuit accusing a group of coin dealers of orchestrating a multi-million dollar fraud scheme that targeted elderly investors. James T. Tanner claims that multiple defendants, including Austin Lloyd, Inc., Austin Coins, Inc., and several individuals associated with the companies, defrauded him through a telemarketing scam selling overpriced precious metal coins and a fraudulent gold mining investment.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York on Nov. 26, 2024, alleges violations of federal racketeering laws and deceptive business practices under New York state law.
Tanner alleges that the defendants orchestrated a complex fraud scheme disguised as the sale of precious metal coins as investments. He claims he was manipulated into purchasing overpriced coins and investing in a non-existent "gold mine," resulting in financial losses exceeding $1.7 million.
The defendants named in the lawsuit include corporate entities such as Austin Lloyd, Inc., and Austin Coins, Inc., as well as individuals including Patrick J. White, Eric P. Lesak (who used the alias “Mike Todd”), Sean Klein, Christian Foster, Brandon E. Chancey, and Charisma Perry.
The complaint describes how these parties allegedly conspired to defraud Tanner through high-pressure sales tactics and false promises of lucrative returns on coin investments.
Tanner's complaint details how he was initially contacted by Sean Klein and later introduced to Eric Lesak, who operated under the alias “Mike Todd.” They allegedly persuaded him to purchase numerous coins at inflated prices by convincing him they were undervalued investments with high returns.
Additionally, Tanner was enticed into lending $250,000 for a purported gold mining venture, which turned out to be fraudulent.
Tanner seeks various forms of relief from the court, including actual damages exceeding $1.7 million, treble damages under RICO statutes and New York law for deceptive business practices, and attorney fees and litigation costs.
Representing Tanner are attorneys from an undisclosed firm. Case I.D. 2:24-cv-08219.