Mila grigg nashville tn

Certainly, but for now…perhaps…readers can begin to understand how easy it is to be drawn into the illusion of a fraud and how simple it is to find that one day the card is pulled that begins the collapse.

Carefully I listened to his story and understood that not only had he been defrauded, but he became unknowingly entwined in the web of deceit having expanded the trust network that Gordon Grigg so carefully played upon. Rather, this is about how the fraud was exposed and, likewise, how Grigg lured his victims into the web of deceit. For this series of blogs I asked Steve Wieland to share with me answers to many questions I asked. Let the interview begin…. I had met Gordon Grigg in the summer of This child was a product of an extramarital affair between the two of them.

He had moved away from our town with his family. I had just started to connect with his son where I live. He was extremely charismatic, funny and generous. For the next two years he came to visit on multiple occasions. But in that second summer, after I met him, I became sick. I was a professional pilot and my illness caused me to lose my medical license to fly airplanes. I had broken my back and had extreme pain due to nerve damage in my feet.

I was on 17 medications a day and under psychiatric care due to depression. Additionally my girlfriend and I had broken up, although we remained friends. My finances were not going well, my airline had already taken my pension, and I was 57 years old with mandatory retirement at age One day my ex-girlfriend told me I should seek financial advice from the father of her child, and now my friend, Gordon Grigg.

Interesting that many, if not most, fraudsters find victims that are susceptible or vulnerable to a scam based on their expanded need. Steve exposed his need based on the varied circumstances he found himself in at the time. And Gordon, being the astute fraudster saw a weak individual that became easy prey to advance his Ponzi scheme.

But back to the story…. He touted advising everyone from racecar drivers to foreign rock stars to country music singers and professional athletes. Since we had been friends for over two years and my girlfriend, the mother of his child, had recommended him, I felt comfortable in having an interview with Gordon to take over my finances. As a side note, it is quite common that a fraud is expanded to new victims based on a close relationship of trust.

Note: Gordon first got close to create the bond of trust, so that when it was time to lure Steve in — closing the sale was easy! He came into my home, opened his briefcase, and after four hours we had never talked about finances.

Instead he talked to me about religion. He told me about his own depression and how he had to commit himself for 30 days to a psychiatric ward to become normal again. He held my hand and prayed with me. At the time, he seemed like a godsend.

I mean what more could I want? Here was a man who had been a college football star, handsome charismatic, extremely versed on investing and was willing to take on my financial package.

When he left my home I asked him about the finances. He just smiled and told me not to worry about it and to get myself better.

He said that was the most important thing. He said he would take care of me. And believe you me, take care of me he did! The mark of any good sales person is to first find out what motivates you and then meet those needs.

But, Gordon was, well lets call him, an unconscious competent. Perhaps, at some point he became a conscious competent…in other words he was an expert at what he was doing — all be it, what he was doing was WRONG! Two months went by and Gordon had taken away all of my control of my finances by having me sign a limited power of attorney up to and including my will where he made himself the executor. My health was starting to come back, but nowhere like it should have been. He invested me in legitimate TD Ameritrade accounts and then sold and bought in these accounts without my knowledge until I received the monthly statements.

He would visit periodically and I would take HIM to dinner. He would tell me that in 12 months I would kiss the ground he walked on. These investments would be for millions of dollars and I alone could not make these investments without being in his pool. Based on what Steve shared above, Gordon got in based on trust, created the illusion so Steve would continue to believe and then made promises that enticed the victim — giving the illusion that they were special — that what they would receive was unique and only offered to a select few.

Actually, in that last part they were telling the truth — only a few select people would become victims! As it turned out, I have a friend in California who is much like myself being medically retired from the airlines. We talk all the time and visit occasionally. After investing with Grigg, he asked me what I was doing with my dwindling investments. I told him about Grigg and what a fantastic job he was doing for me and suggested he call him. After talking with him on the phone, Grigg suggested that he fly to California and meet with my friend.

Many of the fraudsters find that they grow their fraud based on the referral of those who are fully sucked into the scam. At the time Grigg had advertised that he had offices all over the United States.

But neither one of us did due diligence to investigate any further than what Grigg had published or had promised. After two or three meetings my friend decided that he was going to invest with Grigg as well.

Grigg did the same thing to him. He took over all his finances, reinvested them, and then put hard cash in bogus investments. We were both very happy to see our investments growing while the rest economy was falling dramatically. I told yet another pilot friend, who was and is still active, and suggested he talk to Grigg as well. Grigg made a couple of trips to Phoenix where he met with my friend, driving a lavish rental car, dressed to the nines. This friend, however was skeptical, and did some research.

When my friend called to inform me of this I immediately called Grigg. The fraud that Gordon Grigg had taken from North Dakota to Tennessee was soon to be completely exposed. But, for now in the time we have this is quite enough. Let me thank Steve Wieland for his courage to step out and expose through his experience how a fraud is perpetrated and how easy it is to be sucked into the PIT. As such, according to the SEC:.

There are many victims in a circumstance like this, and if there is a way to expose how what happened — happened, perhaps in the future others will have the benefit of learning from others mistakes.

Likewise, if there is anything stated above that is inaccurate, please contact me with details so that corrections can be made. For those who have been following this story, you know by now that investors are up in arms about the apparent collapse of their investments in BizRadio while others believe that it was mostly a scam scattered with some helpful information from time to time.

As a business ethics and fraud prevention expert , I know that there are three things that come together to effect a fraud or turn an otherwise investor into a scam victim. As the story here unfolds all three seem to come to light, now almost daily. The following is now found in Wikipedia not that Wikipedia is a trusted source, but I have found that more times than not it is accurate :. Daniel Frishberg is an American businessman, author and talk-radio host. Frishberg was born in Staten Island , New York , where his parents raised him and his two brothers.

Frishberg worked at Prentice Hall. He later earned a living trading part-time on Wall Street. Frishberg worked for the financial services division at Prudential in San Antonio and later did radio advertising for the company; he appeared frequently on air. Radio station KTSA hired him to do a financial program. The Laffer Frishberg Wallace Economic Opportunity Fund has committed millions of dollars in capital over the past two years to real estate, media, and other holdings. Based on what is show here, Frishberg is a self-made man and has some background that reflects his ability to provide investment advice and manage investments.

However, it is interesting that the following statement is made above:. This is not a statement of fact or conclusion, but when you own your own station that airs your own show that feeds investors to you — well, that is the foundation of a prospective will oiled ILLUSION. I think that most who read would agree — there is power in the media. What people hear on air or in print which I am aware of in these blogs carries weight and credibility.

It is therefore important to state facts when we know them and expose opinions when we state them. Yet, that statement has come from many sources including investors themselves and seems suspect when there is a cloud of impropriety over their investment and the BizRadio — Frishberg motives. I have had personal experience with their incompetence. I signed up for a bond course last spring or summer.

When the night came, I went to the office and they had postponed it but not contacted me. From then on I kept calling and calling trying asking when it would be rescheduled. Finally, after about 3 months, I had my money refunded even that was like pulling teeth. So having to wait that long for a simple refund is a sign that something is a miss… but the Prospective Investor Comments continue…. The next nail in the coffin was when I went to a free open house update.

He did it all on the time on the radio. I know because I buy the same research. I spotted it right off. Frishberg is the one who first recommended it to me.

It was in that moment I knew he was a fraud. Mostly what we hear is a repackaged thought that someone else surely has had. But, in fairness, it enhances ones reputation if they acknowledge their sources rather than claiming them as their own. Does this make Mr. Frishberg a fraud — no, but again, it does challenge his self proclaimed reputation. But the Prospective Investor Comments continue…. I started to notice he stole ideas from other guests like John Rutledge and a University of Houston professor who specializes in natural gas.

After a few weeks, those ideas became his originals. If I noticed a few, how many did I miss? On the other hand, give credit where credit is due — if nothing else, it shows that you are well read and seeking knowledge outside of your own experience. Just a thought. And still the Prospective Investor Comments continue…. Another disturbing thing is Frishberg became like a cult figure. At that same open house market update, I observed it during a break.

About 15 people hovered around him like he was a celebrity. It was creepy. Whenever I see hero worship like that, I know something is wrong. I also recall that he said something about how it was difficult to attract rich people doctors, lawyers, business people because they already knew other rich people. What rich people want is to be around celebrities.

So, that is why he started to get celebrities on his radio show and then try and become one himself by going on CNBC, Fox etc. Now, there are three folks that conjurer up strong opinion by many, but the one thing they have in common is that they earned the status in some form or another.

Is that the case with Mr. Only time will tell. Gordon Grigg, now a felon serving time in federal prison, convicted of a Ponzi scheme was too a reputed investment adviser who gained credibility by his appearances on Fox Business, etc.

Perhaps not all is as it seems and BizRadio will emerge stronger and the investors will get the returns they seek. Frankly that would be good for all concerned. For now however, the drama continues to unfold. I hope for the best, but know that more is to come. But, there are only a limited number of folks that I can get in on this offering. You interested? I just got our statement in the mail and you know that investment I made in that private fund that Joe recommended…well its done better than he projected.

This is done with fake statements Bernie Madoff has had co-workers indicted for their role in creating fake documents.

Gordon Grigg is now in jail for his Ponzi scheme when he made a simple mistake on one of his fake statements. Who knows, if you put some money with him…you might be able to dig yourself out of the hole a bit quicker. Want me to call him and see if he could take you on? Ouch…it will be painful both emotionally and financially on the back side. Charles Ponzi arrive in Boston on November 15, , aboard the S. He quickly learned English and spent the next few years doing odd jobs along the East Coast, eventually taking a job as a dishwasher in a restaurant, where he slept on the floor.

He managed to work his way up to the position of waiter, but was fired for shortchanging the customers and theft. NOTE: There was a pattern of theft and unethical behavior, but the consequence of his actions were not significant enough for Ponzi to change his ways.

Imprisoned for forgery, Ponzi spent three years in the prison St. Vincent-de-Paul near Montreal. After his release in he decided to return to the United States, but got involved in a scheme to smuggle Italian illegal immigrants across the border. He was caught and spent two years in Atlanta Prison, where he met inmate Charles W. Morse, a wealthy Wall Street businessman and speculator, where he learned of greater opportunities than simple petty theft.

IRCs the postal coupons referred to were priced at the cost of postage in the country of purchase, but could be exchanged for stamps to cover the cost of postage in the country where redeemed; if these values were different, there was a potential profit.

Ponzi went to several of his friends in Boston and promised that he would double their investment in 90 days. The great returns available from postal reply coupons, he explained to them, made such incredible profits easy. So when someone — especially someone you trust tells you that they have a fail safe investment that offers great returns…be prepared to be scammed. He set up shop in a building on School Street. Word spread, and investments came in at an ever-increasing rate. Ponzi hired agents and paid them generous commissions for every dollar they brought in.

A frenzy was building, and Ponzi began to hire agents to take in money from all over New England and New Jersey. At that time, investors were being paid impressive rates, encouraging yet others to invest. NOTE: The illusion was in full force. Just as soon as folks began to see the promised returns happening just as promised they began to believe that what they were seeing was real.

Bernie Madoff, Gordon Grigg, and many many more in just did exactly the same thing. They promised something and delivered…creating the illusion that all was just as portrayed.

By July , Ponzi had made millions. People were mortgaging their homes and investing their life savings. Most did not take their profits, but reinvested. NOTE: Another psychological part of most Ponzi schemes is that once there is an element of trust, greed sets in and investors wanting more and more do not take their profits, but rather leave them for yet bigger and bigger profits.

In effect, victims would rather gamble with their funds than protect their assets. Ponzi was bringing in cash at a fantastic rate, but the simplest financial analysis would have shown that the operation was running at a large loss. As long as money kept flowing in, existing investors could be paid with the new money. In fact, new money was the only way Ponzi had to pay off those investors, as he made no effort to generate legitimate profits. NOTE: It seems odd, but the obvious somehow becomes clouded in the quest for more money.

It seems that it is human nature to want to believe that what is not real somehow is real. Ponzi lived luxuriously: he bought a mansion in Lexington, Massachusetts with air conditioning and a heated swimming pool, and he maintained accounts in several banks across New England besides Hanover Trust. He also brought his mother from Italy in a first-class stateroom on an ocean liner.

Joseph Daniels, a Boston furniture dealer who had given Ponzi furniture which he could not afford to pay for, sued Ponzi to cash in on the gold rush. The lawsuit was unsuccessful, but it did start people asking how Ponzi could have gone from being penniless to being a millionaire in so short a time.

There was a run on the Securities Exchange Company, as some investors decided to pull out. Ponzi paid them and the run stopped. On July 24, , the Boston Post printed a favorable article on Ponzi and his scheme that brought in investors faster than ever.

The day after this article was published, Ponzi arrived at his office to find thousands of Bostonians waiting to give him their money. NOTE: At the height of the schemes most fraudsters find that their false promise supported by an illusion and reinforced with trust many times of well known and influential individuals drives ever more folks to be sucked into the PIT.

Likewise, at its height that is generally when the pendulum is preparing to swing in — well lets say — a more truthful direction. In other words the house of cards is soon to collapse.

Barron observed that though Ponzi was offering fantastic returns on investments, Ponzi himself was not investing with his own company. Barron then noted that to cover the investments made with the Securities Exchange Company, million postal reply coupons would have to be in circulation.

However, only about 27, actually were. The United States Post Office stated that postal reply coupons were not being bought in quantity at home or abroad. The stories caused a panic run on the Securities Exchange Company. He canvassed the crowd, passed out coffee and donuts, and cheerfully told them they had nothing to worry about.

Many changed their minds and left their money with him. However, this attracted the attention of Daniel Gallagher no relation by the way — although that would be quite a coincidence , the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. The denouement for Ponzi began in late July, when McMasters found several highly incriminating documents that indicated Ponzi was merely robbing Peter to pay Paul.

He went to his former employer, the Post , with this information. The story touched off a massive run, and Ponzi paid off in one day. He then sped up plans to build a massive conglomerate that would engage in banking and import-export operations. On August 11, it all came crashing down for Ponzi. That afternoon, Bank Commissioner Allen seized Hanover Trust after finding numerous irregularities in its books.

With reports that he was due to be arrested any day, Ponzi surrendered to federal authorities on August 12 and was charged with mail fraud for sending letters to his marks telling them their notes had matured. The news brought down five other banks in addition to Hanover Trust. His investors were practically wiped out, receiving less than 30 cents on the dollar. And, most fraudsters prey first on those closest to them — their friends, family and close acquaintances people that trust them.

Huffman , Jr. Follow the Yachts by Robert Chew. I must admit after talking recently to many of the folks who were scammed by Gordon Grigg, I would hear similar tales of loss and lifestyle — their loss and his lifestyle. While many of my readers are regulars I am constantly reminded of the new faces who read this blog for the first time. Knowing that, this blog entry will be less about others and more about my past. From the past one can learn much about the future.

You see, I, too, was a fraudster. That is not something I am proud of — in fact, it is a fact that I wish were not there. However, I cannot change my past, so over time I have come to embrace it, share it and learn from those mistakes. My openness is designed to bring awareness and hopefully prevent others from falling prey to those who would defraud.

The article starts with these paragraphs:. But many among the most egregious alleged billionaire bamboozlers, like R. Allen Stanford and Bernie Madoff , are taking the art of thievery to the next level.

But, Chew is right about the illusion. As a ethics and fraud prevention speaker , I openly discuss the steps that led up to the choices I made to enter into the world of fraud.

At first I stuck my toe into that world when I was behind on my house payment. That said, when I repaid the stolen money I also learned it was easy. I took again, with minor repayment and again and again.

While my lifestyle was nothing like that — everything is relative. I lived in an upscale home. Our clothes were top of the line and we wanted for nothing.

As I write this I am saddened by the words. It is difficult to state what I did, knowing that I knew better all the time. I created an amazing illusion and got caught up in it myself. Having talked with many victims of frauds, just like the one I committed, I know that the fraudster, just like the victim, can be caught up in the illusion. Now I need to be careful with what I say here — for fear that my readers might think I am trying to shift blame — I am not!

But, the truth is, my crime — or the crimes of Madoff, Stanford, Grigg and others in the news today — could have been cut short if those closest to them might have been alerted by their lifestyle. In my case, I was tax partner in a CPA firm. It is fairly obvious that my partners knew what I was making from our firm.

I knew their income and they knew mine. So a fair and reasonable question is — how could I live a lifestyle far more lavish than they? When that question is asked — then there is a chance that unethical — if not fraudulent — behavior could be uncovered or discovered. So there is no misunderstanding, I am not faulting my partners for my poor choices. I made them. I am responsible and accountable for them. I paid the price for them. That being said, had anyone — my family, my partners, anyone — questioned my income or income source, I would likely have been stopped in my tracks.

If you are not doubling down in the social marketing world, odds are you will not exist in 10 years or less. What is the culture of your company? How do you encourage your employees to actively engage in your culture in a positive way versus destroying it?

Leaders identify core values and use them to form a culture of success. Our training ensures that each value is fused into every action and business decision. This solidifies your brand and improves internal and external culture. People evaluate your competence and trustworthiness in the first quarter of a second of laying an eye you based solely on how you look. We turn your image and visual statement into a relationship and sales tool.

Tell stories. Individuals and corporations alike are all stories in progress, and they need to be able to share their story — versus trying to sell a product or a skill based on facts and data alone. When a brand shares a story the right way, it creates an emotional connection increasing brand loyalty and profits. This is the difference-maker for every company. A command of EI is a proven differentiator in the competitive climb up the corporate ladder and can account for nearly 90 percent of what moves people up the ladder when IQ and technical skills are roughly similar.

The good news is that this is a muscle you can grow with training and coaching. True leadership requires constant change. Most people lead by title and position — the lowest level of leadership. The stagnant leadership model of years past has disappeared. We teach leaders how to adapt and grow, lead via experience, share a story, influence those around them, inspire culture and build brand and community. Contact Moda. Toggle navigation.

Watch the video. Connect With Us. Personal Brand Development You. Learn More. Employee Training People are your greatest asset. Culture Training What is the culture of your company? Image Consulting People evaluate your competence and trustworthiness in the first quarter of a second of laying an eye you based solely on how you look.

Emotional Intelligence This is the difference-maker for every company. To hear Mila speak to a group of leaders and see people emotionally moved gives me chill bumps every time. You owe it to your clients, your shareholders, and your employees to invest in Mila and Moda. Bank Private Wealth Management. The Tennessee Hospital Association has been around for 81 years and had a very strong brand. Like any other organization with that length of service, that brand can also get stale.