Possible Ponzi shut down

The Florida Attorney General shut down an alleged $23 million investment Ponzi scheme on Friday.

A lawsuit filed by the Attorney General claimed Botfly LLC, operated by principals David R. Lewalski and Jon J. Hammill, had been promising potential investors high returns on their money, “but in reality spent millions on expensive personal items,” according to a release.

Bank records allegedly indicate that Lewalski and Hammill collected roughly $23 million from more than 550 investors, of which only $11 million was returned to those investors. “The remainder of investors' money was allegedly spent on personal expenses such as fancy automobiles, a Ducati motorcycle, luxury hotels, jet charters, clothing and jewelry,” the release said.