CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Channel 9 obtained a new lawsuit that claims the wife of late the Ponzi scheme organizer, Rick Siskey, knew all about his illegal operation and even helped to hide millions of dollars.
The lawsuit, which was filed by the couple’s former businesses associates, names Rick Siskey’s wife, Diane Siskey, and MetLife, where the two worked, as defendants in the case.
[PAST COVERAGE: FBI: Charlotte businessman found dead was running Ponzi scheme]
The 32-page lawsuit claims Rick Siskey had people invest $50 million during the 15-year Ponzi scheme. It said $47 million of that was transferred between his personal account and his wife’s account.
[READ MORE: Siskey new complaint]
Diane Siskey was fully aware and an active participant during her husband’s scheme, according to the lawsuit.
Court documents cite multiple transfers of $1 million into Diane Siskey’s bank account.
The lawsuit alleges that their bank accounts were a pipeline for the Ponzi operation and that Diane Siskey hid millions in offshore accounts.
MetLife Securities also knew Rick Siskey was breaking the law for years but, “turned a blind eye to Siskey’s illegal activities because he was a star sales performer who was generating significant profits,” according to the lawsuit.
The court documents say that MetLife Securities should have identified Rick Siskey as a rogue banker.
Diane Siskey resigned her securities license and retired from MetLife in December, just days before the FBI investigation into her husband became public, the lawsuit says.
Rick Siskey was found dead inside his SouthPark home days after the FBI issued an order to seize his property. His death was ruled a suicide.
[PAST COVERAGE: Prominent Charlotte businessman under investigation found dead inside home]
Milliions of dollars in cars, furniture and jewelry that belonged to the Siskeys was auctioned off in July to help repay investors.
[IMAGES: Items up for auction at Siskey estate]
The auction raised a little over $2 million.
Channel 9 has reached out to MetLife for a response to the lawsuit but has not heard back.
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