80-year-old man sentenced to 96 months, pay over $2m restitution

According to an FBI press release, Joseph Angelo Sivigliano, 80, of Oklahoma City, was sentenced by United States District Judge David L. Russell to serve 96 months in prison for conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering in connection with a real estate investment Ponzi scheme, announced Sanford C. Coats, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma. Judge Russell also ordered Sivigliano to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term and pay restitution in the amount of $2,214,577.25.

Sivigliano was indicted on October 4, 2011. Following a trial in April 19, 2012, the jury deliberated less than three hours before finding Sivigliano guilty on all 46 counts. Evidence at trial showed that beginning in 2005, Sivigliano did business selling “investment opportunities” as Helping Hearts and Hands Inc. (HHH) in Bethany, Oklahoma. Sivigliano held HHH out to investors as a legitimate 501(c)(3) charitable organization engaged in real estate investments to benefit philanthropic ventures, such as its Christian childcare facility “Teaching Little Hearts and Hands.” However, Sivigliano was not a registered investment advisor or broker-dealer in the state of Oklahoma, and HHH was not registered as a licensed securities firm or otherwise authorized to sell securities in the state of Oklahoma. Evidence showed that Sivigliano also owned and operated other businesses including Celebrity Limo and Valet Corporation (“Celebrity Limo”) and MC Productions Inc. (“MCP”), both in Oklahoma City, and Sivigliano’s daughter and grandson owned and operated Lansbrook Worship & Event Center (“Lansbrook WEC”) in Oklahoma City.

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