Skip to main content
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government
Dot gov
The .gov means it’s official. 
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.
Https
The site is secure. 
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.
INACTIVE
This page is no longer active. Its content has expired or been rescinded by the FDIC.

SPECIAL ALERT

BSA/AML, OFAC and Fraud
October 30, 2001


TO: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
SUBJECT: Securities and Exchange Commission Suit Against Robert L. Bentley, Entrust Group, and Bentley Financial Services, Inc.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Office of Thrift Supervision and the National Credit Union Administration have issued the attached "Joint Release on SEC Action Against Robert L. Bentley, Entrust Group and Bentley Financial Services, Inc." This release notifies all financial institutions that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed suit against the above-named defendants for suspected securities fraud, and has obtained a Temporary Restraining Order to freeze the defendants' assets and appoint a receiver to take control over the defendants' assets until further order of the court.

All FDIC-supervised institutions that hold any funds or other assets in the name of or for the benefit of the above-named defendants should immediately act to ensure compliance with the attached Temporary Restraining Order. Further, any FDIC-supervised institutions that have invested funds through Bentley Financial Services, Robert L. Bentley, or Entrust Group should confer with counsel on the appropriate course of action to follow. The name and telephone number of the court-appointed receiver are listed in the attached joint release.

Questions regarding risk-rating treatment of outstanding investments or placement of funds made through Bentley Financial Services, Robert L. Bentley or Entrust Group, or about the proper accounting for such investments, may be directed to the Regional Office supervising your institution. State non-member institutions should also contact their Regional Office if they have significant exposure to these entities.

Inquiries may be directed to FDIC's Special Activities Section, 550 17th Street, NW, Room 6012, Washington, DC 20429.

For your reference, all FDIC Financial Institution Letters published since January of 1995 may be found on the FDIC's Web site at www.fdic.gov/news/financial-institution-letters/2001/index.html .

Michael J. Zamorski
Acting Director

Attachments: Joint Agency Release
Temporary Restraining Order, Order Appointing Receiver, Freezing Assets and Providing Other Relief

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

NOTE: Paper copies of FDIC financial institution letters may be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information Center, 801 17th Street, NW, Room 100, Washington, DC 20434 (800-276-6003 or (703) 562-2200).


Last Updated: October 30, 2001