(Phoenix, Ariz. – Dec. 11, 2007) Attorney General Terry Goddard announced that Gregg L. Wolfe, 46, of Scottsdale, pleaded guilty today to one count of solicitation to commit bribery of a public servant and four counts of attempted harassment of a public officer.
The charges stem from allegations involving the release of confidential investigative materials by Chandler Police Officer Bradley Forward and the alleged filing of baseless liens against a Superior Court judge, a public official and public employees involved in a securities law investigation.
According to court documents, Edward A. Purvis hired Wolfe to be part of an investment program that Purvis claimed guaranteed a monthly 2 percent return to investors. Wolfe said that he and Purvis sold investments through Nakami Chi Group Ministries International (NCGMI). Wolfe admitted that neither he nor Purvis were licensed to sell securities by the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) and that the investments sold were not registered as securities. Investors’ money was sent to a complex structure of offshore corporations set up by Purvis to avoid detection by investigators.
In his plea agreement, Wolfe admitted that for about seven years, the investment monthly returns were paid by using new investor money to pay old investors. Wolfe added that by August or September 2006, NCGMI was unable to make payments to investors after a series of articles were published about an investigation into their activities. Purvis instructed Wolfe not to cooperate with the ACC investigation and obtained confidential ACC investigative materials from former Chandler Police Officer Bradley Forward in an effort to thwart the investigation. Wolfe said that he was fired by Purvis after investigators found documents related to the ACC investigation in Wolfe’s home during the execution of a search warrant.
In addition, Wolfe admitted that Purvis asked him to investigate other avenues to stop the securities investigation. Wolfe introduced Purvis to Markham Daly, a Colorado resident, who assisted in drafting baseless claims against a Maricopa County Superior Court Judge, the Clerk of Maricopa County Superior Court and two ACC employees.
Wolfe has agreed to cooperate with the Attorney General’s Office in proceedings against Purvis, which include both the harassment prosecution and securities fraud allegations that are still under investigation. Wolfe’s sentencing will be postponed until after criminal proceedings against Purvis are completed.
Purvis, 38, of Chandler, was indicted in May 2007, on charges of bribery and harassment of public employees. He is scheduled to go to trial in Feb. 2008. If convicted of all charges, Purvis faces up to 20 years in prison. A separate civil action against Purvis is being pursued by the Arizona Corporation Commission.
Assistant Attorney General Kelly O’Connor is handling this case.