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New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department SECURITIES DIVISION Toney Anaya Building ▪ 2550 Cerrillos Road ▪ P.O. Box 25101 ▪ Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505 (505) 476-4580 ▪ Fax (505) 984-0617 ▪ Toll free in NM (800) 704-5533 www.rld.state.nm.us/securities

May 1, 2015 Media Contact: Robert McEntryre (505) 670-7024

Susana Martinez Albuquerque Businessman Pleads Guilty to Stealing From an Elderly GOVERNOR Investor Robert “Mike” Unthank SUPERINTENDENT ALAMOGORDO – Albuquerque businessman Jeffrey B. Bland has pleaded guilty to defrauding an elderly investor. Bland pleaded guilty on Tania Maestas Acting Friday to two counts of second-degree fraud and to two count of securities GENERAL COUNSEL fraud before Twelfth Judicial District Court Judge James Waylon Counts. He faces a sentence of up to eighteen years. Alan R. Wilson DIRECTOR The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing, Securities Division received a complaint from an elderly resident of Otero County that he had invested $229,000 with Bland in a Promissory Note. Instead of applying the money to an investment activity, the Securities Division’s investigation showed that Bland used money from the investor to remodel his home, purchase vehicles pay personal expenses, and make payments to a previous investor.

New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Superintendent, Mike Unthank stated, “This administration is committed to protecting our elderly population from fraudsters, and our Securities Division will work with local law enforcement officials in every community to identify and prosecute these criminals.”

Bland was licensed to sell Insurance products in New Mexico, and he met the victim while reviewing a portfolio of insurance products held in the victim’s family trust accounts. Bland induced the victim to buy the promissory note by promising a higher interest rate than the insurance products. Bland was not licensed to sell securities, nor was the promissory note a registered security.

This case was jointly investigated by the Regulation and Licensing Department’s Securities Division, the Otero County District Attorney’s Office Alcohol and Gaming Division (505) 476-4875 and the Otero County Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution was conducted by Matthew Bouillion, Senior Prosecuting Attorney for the New Mexico Securities Boards and Commissions Division (505) 476-4600 Division, in conjunction with Twelfth Judicial District Attorney’s office, Scot Key, Deputy District Attorney. Construction Industries Division (505) 476-4700 The Securities Division protects New Mexicans from fraud and financial abuse Financial Institutions Division (505) 476-4885 by licensing investment professionals, registering securities offering made in

Manufactured Housing Division the state, offering anti-fraud and educational programs to the public, and (505) 476-4770 investigating fraud and other violations of the state securities laws. To learn

Securities Division more about investment fraud, visit the division’s website at (505) 476-4580 www.redflagsnm.com.

Administrative Services Division (505) 476-4800 ###