ATLANTA … A multi-year investigation by the Secretary of State’s Securities Division and the Fulton County District Attorney’s office has culminated in a guilty plea and lengthy sentence for an Atlanta man who orchestrated an investment scheme targeting dozens of victims, including members of his church, Secretary Cox said today.

    Donald James, 38, of Alpharetta was sentenced last week to 13 years in prison   and 27 years of probation. In addition, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Rowland Barnes ordered restitution of some $4.5 million to his victims and prohibited Mr. James  from working as a financial advisor in the future. 

    Fulton County authorities arrested Donald James in April of 1999 following a joint investigation with the Secretary of State’s office into allegations that James, who portrayed himself as a commodities broker, was financing his own lavish lifestyle with the funds he was purportedly investing on behalf of his “clients.” Although all remaining assets were seized by a court-appointed receiver at the time of his arrest, and some funds were returned to investors at that time, several victims lost their entire life savings.

    “I am extremely pleased that, with this lengthy sentence, the court has sent a powerful message that we will deal harshly with those who prey on the trust of hard-working Georgians,” said Secretary of State Cox.  “Fulton County Assistant District Attorney Brad Malkin and his staff did an outstanding job insuring that this criminal was brought to justice,” Cox added.

    James also pled guilty to federal fraud charges brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and was sentenced to 51 months in prison to begin upon the completion of his state sentence.    

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