Ponzi schemer gets 19 years

TAMPA -- James Risher was sentenced to 19 years and 7 seven months in federal prison for crimes related to a $21 million Ponzi scheme he perpetrated.

In addition to serving jail time, Risher was ordered to forfeit a 2007 Lexus, a 2008 Lexus, a 2008 Smart Car, 10 pieces of diamond and other jewelry, a painting, and $12.4 million.

Risher operated his fraudulent scheme from residences in Lee County, Sarasota County, and a location in Mars Hill, N.C. He did not tell his 106 clients, who invested $21 million with him, that he had previously been convicted of fraud and money laundering.