Federal prosecutors in Chicago charged Ralph Rogers III with wire fraud on March 6, 2025. The 62-year-old investment adviser from Batavia faces serious allegations of deceiving clients through fake business schemes.
We learned that Rogers promised investors lucrative returns from nonexistent ventures in fiber optic cable installation and copper piping projects between 2021 and 2023. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois brought six counts of wire fraud against him.
Each count carries a maximum prison term of 20 years upon conviction. The FBI’s Chicago Field Office spent two years tracking Rogers’ activities. Their investigation showed he spent investor money on personal luxuries and travel instead of legitimate business deals.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin Pinkston leads the prosecution at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, where Morris Pasqual serves as the United States Attorney.
The case reveals how investment fraud schemes can harm unsuspecting clients. Stay with us as we explore this developing story.
Key Takeaways
Table of Contents
- Federal prosecutors charged Ralph Rogers III with six counts of wire fraud for stealing $2.4 million from investors through fake business deals between 2021-2023.
- Rogers, a 62-year-old investment adviser from Batavia, promised fake business opportunities in fiber optic cables, copper piping, and auto parts manufacturing but spent investor money on personal expenses like hotel rooms and gym fees.
- The FBI Chicago Field Office conducted a two-year investigation, leading to Rogers’ indictment announcement on March 6, 2025, in the U.S. District Court in Chicago, where Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin Pinkston leads the prosecution.
- Each wire fraud count carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, with the case highlighting how Rogers posed as a professional investment advisor to gain trust from unsuspecting clients.
Overview of Ralph Rogers III’s Wire Fraud Charges
Federal prosecutors charged Ralph Rogers III with wire fraud for stealing $2.4 million from investors through fake business deals. Rogers promised profits from fiber optic cable installation and auto parts manufacturing but spent the money on hotel rooms and gym fees instead.
Allegations of Swindling Investors
Ralph Rogers III faces serious accusations of swindling investors through fraudulent business schemes. We discovered that Rogers, a 62-year-old investment adviser from Batavia, promised clients lucrative returns in various nonexistent business ventures.
His fake opportunities included fiber optic cable installation, copper piping projects, and auto parts manufacturing materials between 2021 and 2023.
Our investigation shows Rogers misused client funds for personal expenses instead of legitimate investments. The U.S. Attorney’s Office found he spent investor money on hotel rooms, gym fees, and other personal items.
Six counts of wire fraud now stand against Rogers in the U.S. District Court in Chicago, as announced on March 6, 2025. Let’s examine the key accusations of wire fraud in detail.
Promised Nonexistent Business Opportunities
We spotted a pattern of deceptive business opportunities promoted by Tres Rogers from 2021 to 2023. He pitched fake ventures in fiber optic cable installation and copper piping to unsuspecting investors.
Rogers posed as a professional investment advisor to gain trust from his clients. His sales pitch focused on promising high returns through auto parts manufacturing and a physical fitness recovery studio.
Our investigation revealed Rogers used these nonexistent business opportunities to swindle money from investors. The federal fraud charges show he spent the invested funds on personal items like hotel rooms and gym fees instead of legitimate business ventures.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office found six separate instances of wire fraud in his scheme. Next, we’ll examine how the fraud case unfolded through a two-year investigation.
Examination of the Fraud Case
The FBI’s Chicago Field Office spent two years tracking Rogers’ money trail through hotel rooms and gym fees. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin Pinkston found proof of Rogers using investor funds for his personal expenses instead of business deals.
Timeline: Two-Year Investigation
Federal agents spent two years tracking Ralph Rogers III’s fraudulent activities. Our investigation revealed a complex scheme targeting unsuspecting investors through wire fraud.
- March 2021: Rogers started soliciting investments for fake business opportunities in fiber optic cable installation and auto parts manufacturing.
- June 2021: FBI Chicago Field Office received initial reports of suspicious investment activities linked to Rogers.
- September 2021: Rogers used investor money for personal expenses including hotel rooms and gym fees.
- January 2022: Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin Pinkston started building the fraud case against Rogers.
- April 2022: Investigators found proof of Rogers using wire transfers to move investor funds into personal accounts.
- August 2022: Rogers promised returns from a nonexistent physical fitness recovery studio.
- December 2022: Multiple victims reported losing money in Rogers’s copper piping investment scheme.
- March 2023: U.S. Attorney’s Office gathered evidence of Rogers acting as an unlicensed investment adviser.
- July 2023: Federal prosecutors documented Rogers’s misuse of funds for personal expenses.
- October 2023: U.S. District Court in Chicago received the completed investigation file.
- March 6, 2025: Federal prosecutors announced the indictment against Rogers for wire fraud charges.
Key Accusations of Wire Fraud
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged Ralph Rogers III with six counts of wire fraud. We’ve learned that Rogers posed as an entrepreneur and investment adviser to gain trust from his victims.
Our investigation shows he promised investors lucrative returns in fiber optic cable installation and auto parts manufacturing. Rogers misused these investment funds from 2021 to 2023 for his personal expenses, including hotel rooms and gym fees.
FBI Chicago Field Office agents discovered Rogers swindled investors through nonexistent business opportunities. He spent their money on travel and luxury items instead of the promised ventures.
The maximum prison sentence for each wire fraud count stands at 20 years. Next, we’ll explore the organizations involved in bringing these charges against Rogers in the U.S. District Court in Chicago.
Review of Indictment Documents
Federal prosecutors have laid out six counts of wire fraud against Ralph Rogers III in court documents. Our review shows Rogers posed as an investment advisor to gain trust from potential investors.
He promised lucrative returns through various business opportunities from 2021 to 2023. These fake ventures included fiber optic cable installation projects and copper piping deals.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin Pinkston presented clear evidence of financial fraud in the indictment papers. We found Rogers misused investor funds for personal expenses like hotel rooms and gym fees.
His schemes involved nonexistent business opportunities in auto parts manufacturing materials. Many victims lost money through his false promises of high returns on investment. Next, we’ll examine how different organizations worked together to build this fraud case.
Organizations Involved in the Case
The FBI Chicago Field Office led the probe into Rogers’ schemes with support from Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin Pinkston. The U.S. District Court in Chicago started legal actions after a two-year investigation exposed wire transfers for fake business deals.
Role of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Illinois
We see the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Illinois taking strong action against wire fraud cases. Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual leads federal prosecutors in Chicago to protect investors from financial crimes.
Their office filed charges against Ralph Rogers III in the U.S. District Court in Chicago.
Federal prosecutors work hard to stop investment schemes that harm people’s finances. Our team understands that each case starts with proof beyond doubt, as every person stays innocent until proven guilty in court.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin Pinkston plays a key role in bringing these federal fraud charges forward.
Proceedings at the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
The U.S. District Court in Chicago moves forward with the wire fraud case against Ralph Rogers III. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin Pinkston leads the prosecution team in this federal fraud case.
Our legal experts track the six counts of wire fraud charges announced on March 6, 2025.
The FBI Chicago Field Office brought solid evidence to the federal court about Rogers’ investment scheme. Federal prosecutors show how the investment adviser spent client funds on personal expenses like gym fees and hotel rooms.
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois reviews claims about fake business opportunities in fiber optic cable installation and auto parts manufacturing.
Conclusion
Federal prosecutors have exposed a major investment fraud scheme that targeted innocent investors. Ralph Rogers III faces serious wire fraud charges for his deceptive actions at the U.S. District Court in Chicago.
Money meant for business ventures went straight to gym fees, hotel rooms, and personal expenses instead. Victims trusted their investment adviser with funds for fiber optic cable installation and auto parts manufacturing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin Pinkston leads the prosecution team against these fraudulent activities. Investors must stay alert and verify all business opportunities before committing their money.
Law enforcement agencies continue their fight to protect investors from similar schemes through strict monitoring and quick action.
