Macon Man Arrested on Securities Fraud Charges for Allegedly Bilking Thousands from Elderly Georgians

ATLANTA …Secretary of State Cathy Cox today announced the arrest of a Macon man on charges of securities fraud stemming from a “Ponzi scheme” that bilked thousands from elderly Georgia investors.

            John Roger Giddens, 49, of Macon was arrested on Tuesday, January 10^th, by agents from the South Georgia Fugitive Squad on multiple counts of securities fraud related to “Leisure Lease” investments Giddens allegedly sold to elderly investors in several Georgia counties with the false promise of high returns and profits for investors. 

The indictment alleges that investors believed they were purchasing a time-share of Branson, Missouri hotel and motel rooms and were assured there was “no way” they could lose their money.

            In November 2004, the Secretary of State’s Securities Division opened an investigation into Giddens after receiving a complaint from an investor. Giddens was not registered to sell securities in Georgia, nor were the “investments” he was selling  properly registered with the Secretary of State’s office as required by law.

Following his arrest, Giddens was transported to the Jones County jail where he is being held.