Dwight Shane Baldwin, who ran several “venture capital” funds called the Silverleaf Companies has been charged by the Utah Division of Securities with securities fraud and theft, prosecutors said Monday. Previously the Division had charged him with securities fraud. The Division’s civil complaint is available here.
According to the allegations in the complaint, In January of 2008, Baldwin solicited a total of $200,000 from two Utah investors. He told the investors that Baldwin and Silver Leaf Capital would use their money to invest in a California company called GarageCo, Inc., which manufactures a plastic toy called “Yo Baby.” Baldwin told investors they would receive a return of their principal plus a profit in about three to five months. One of the investors recalled Baldwin saying the profit would be around approximately $300,000. Baldwin also promised the investors they would receive an equity interest in GarageCo and Silver Leaf Capital.
I would like to contribute the following information your blog:
Shane Baldwin, CEO of SilverLeaf Financial, has settled outside of court with the parties involved in a Utah civil suit, and has come to an agreement with the Utah Attorney General’s Office. This is not a common end to this type of story, and clearly shows Shane’s willingness to rectify the situation as he paid the restitution in full. You can view the full article here: http://sltrib.com/sltrib/money/49801515-79/baldwin-charges-theft-lee.html.csp?page=1
The information in your post regarding Dwight Shane Baldwin and Silverleaf has been positively resolved as seen in two much more recent articles. One is in the Salt Lake Tribune: http://sltrib.com/sltrib/money/49801515-79/baldwin-charges-theft-lee.html.csp?page=1 and the other in the Deseret News: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700042797/North-Salt-Lake-man-agrees-to-resolution-of-theft-case.html
Thanks
Baldwin pled guilty to attempted theft, and made restitution to the investors because he had not other choice. He was facing felony securities fraud! He bargained the deal.
This is not the usual outcome in ponzi schemes, which is what this was. Investors usually loose all of their money. Baldwin had to settle because of the case they had against him. He got caught! He is a liar. Even those closest to him in his life know that he is a habitual liar. I hope his Stake President and Bishop conduct an inquiry into his behavior and remove his temple recommend from him. Clearly not honest in all of his dealings.
Judge not lest ye be judge, maybe we should have your stake Pres and bishop conduct an inquiry on you 😉
Chris is right. He pled to stay out of jail. WOW does this make him a good person??? He does not understand the difference between right and wrong. I am not Mormon but if a Temple recommend is reserved for those who don’t do wrong unto others, then he doesn’t deserve it.
Whether you repented, rectified, solved or begged forgiveness, all are by- products of a sin committed, a wrong imposed. Indeed, there remains the element of forgiveness and the option of second chances, otherwise we all may end up in Gehenna!
He is a liar
He is more than a liar, he is a thief and has had more than one second chance already. He is still conducting his business as always – get away with whatever he can with other people’s money. One day I really hope he serves time as he needs a really strong lesson at this point. I wish some employees would get brave and tell all.
his employees would never slap the hand that feeds them. the money, the power, the thrill of the ride is too enticing and deceiving for any of his employees to do the right thing. shane baldwin has mastered the art of deception. he is very intelligent, and very cunning. he will always push boundaries. its a game to him. that’s how he rolls. re: the recent lawsuit out of nevada – why the plantiffs weren’t aware of shane’s prior law suits and even plea bargain with the Utah AG is beyond me! Google Shane Baldwin, or Silvlerleaf Financial – and see what comes up. You dont have to look to far to find information on Shane. Google is a good start. Is is any coincidence that Shane donated $$$$ to a cause and put out his own press release just days after the SL Trib article was released? Silvlereaf releases their own press releases on the web in attempts to cover all the negative press they receive. Time for jail son… I hear the slammer closing behind you and locking you up as I write this! Time to learn your lesson son.
Another lawsuit filed Dec. 2011 against Mr. Baldwin and Mr. Staples. Local business Q-6 suing for $5M claiming misleading information provided regarding the investment, the collateral and use of funds. Lawsuit claims Mr. Baldwin is living the high life with fast cars, private planes and court side seats at the Jazz games while defrauding investors.
lets remember that any disparaging comments made against Shane hurt those closest to him. let the courts judge him, and ultimately his maker. this man has a wife and children. it is so easy to destroy a man’s character over the internet these days. let the court system decide his fate and let’s all stop throwing stones lest they break our own glass home.
I detect a growing sentiment of bad feelings towards this guy including one who refers to “our” glass house. Are you one of the protected inner circle? To that person marriage and kids can’t be a shield against justice.
I had a chance to be a part of Silverleaf’s Real Estate Brokerage (early 2008) and soon instincts alerted me that this is a “run, don’t walk” away from situation. I remember Shane taking a few of us to lunch and the look I got when I ordered a beer, priceless! I remarked to him ” ah you just want everyone to think you just fell off a BYU homecoming float” and continued to drink my beer, That was the angle and persona he uses!
One of his latest cases in Federal Court Nevada shows his attorneys are quitting on him. He apparently owes the attorneys $35,000. Plaintiff says damages are $1.2M due to non disclosure of known problems with loans. Q-6 Associates filed a lawsuit alleging fraud and rip off of $1.5M. Lawsuit alleges Baldwin driving a Porsche and owning planes using money from investors that should have gone to other uses.
Baldwin press release says “after he finished his education”. First time I ever heard of dropping out being referred to as finishing one’s education.
My law firm has represented plaintiffs in two separate cases against Shane, and all I can say is that he has a dishonest way of doing business. He only pays back his investors when you either threaten to sue him or until you receive judgment from the courts. I do not know why people continue to do business with him or lend him money. Every out of court settlement or plea deal just means that he is able to go at it again.
He only pays back investors with other investor money.
As young as 29 to be a successful entrepreneur man. As far as I know Shane Baldwin is doing right this year. Anyway thanks to nice infos.
Yes, he doing so right that the United States Court just seized the airplane he bought with stolen funds. That is really an improvement when the Fed’s are taking away the con-artists’ property!
Shane Baldwin is a fraud. He belongs in prison. Ask his former employees and business partners. Even those closest to him (family and friends). He lies. He steals. He cheats. And he continues to do so….why. He has no conscience. This allows him to repeat this type of behavior over again and again. He was a ballerina from an early age who morphed into a true mini Bernie Maddoff.