E. Martin Estrada, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California
A Beverly Hills resident, Mark Roy Anderson, has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for orchestrating fraudulent schemes that led to nearly $18 million in losses. United States District Judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha handed down the sentence and scheduled a restitution hearing for June 4.
Judge Aenlle-Rocha commented on the case, stating, "The magnitude of the fraud is breathtaking…the [victims’ statements reflect] the depth of the harm. Many have lost their life savings reflecting decades of hard work." He described Anderson as "an accomplished and incorrigible con man" and emphasized that "the public must be protected from him for as long as possible."
Anderson, aged 70, pleaded guilty in April 2024 to two counts of wire fraud. He has been in federal custody since May 2023. His criminal activities began shortly after his release from federal prison while he was still serving his sentence under home confinement and supervised release for a previous fraud conviction.
Acting United States Attorney Joseph McNally stated, "The defendant stole more than $18 million from dozens of investors by promising quick returns on their investments into hemp farms and other exotic investments. Today’s 25-year sentence takes him off the street so that he cannot harm other victims."
In one scheme, Anderson misled investors between June 2020 and April 2021 into funding Harvest Farm Group, claiming it was involved in hemp farming and processing cannabidiol (CBD) isolate. He falsely asserted ownership of a hemp farm in Kern County and claimed successful harvests using his machinery.
To maintain investor trust, Anderson concealed his past convictions for multiple felonies such as mail fraud, wire fraud, grand theft, forgery, preparing false evidence, and money laundering. He also hid that he was still serving a criminal sentence at the time.
From April 2021 to May 2023, Anderson operated another scheme involving Bio Pharma and Verta Bottling. He solicited funds by claiming these companies manufactured CBD-infused products and various food items. He fabricated documents to support false claims about assets worth millions of dollars.
Instead of investing funds as promised, Anderson used them for personal expenses. He agreed to forfeit assets acquired through these schemes, including luxury cars like a Ferrari and real estate in Ojai.
In total, Anderson defrauded approximately $17.7 million from 45 victims across both schemes.
The FBI conducted the investigation with Assistant United States Attorney Kerry L. Quinn prosecuting the case.
