Englewood financial advisor arrested on charges of $730,000 securities fraud

DENVER — Englewood resident William Gardner, 57, was taken into custody Wednesday, December 23 on charges that include four counts of securities fraud, five counts of theft of $20,000 or more, one count of theft of $5,000-$20,000, and two counts of theft of $500 or more from an at-risk victim. All are felony charges.

The arrest was the result of a case brought by the Colorado Attorney General’s office and an investigation carried out by the Colorado Division of Securities, part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).

The indictment alleges that in 2008, Gardner created a business, Gardner Advisory Services, LLC, that offered retirement planning, financial advice, and life insurance to clients. However, despite holding an insurance broker license, Gardner never acquired the necessary license to advise or sell other financial products that fall under the legal requirements of the Colorado Securities Act. Read More