'Philanthropic soul' ripped off millions
Kudos to U.S. District Judge Katharine Hayden for giving a phone scammer a 17-year prison sentence, rather than buying in to the emotional appeal of the "but he's really a nice guy" testimony of Charles Hoffecker's family and friends, and Hoffecker's own tearful "I just want to pay the people back" speech.
He wasn't crying when his telephone scamming ripped off hundreds of people -- many of them elderly -- of more than $14 million. Several recovering alcoholics and drug addicts testified on behalf of Hoffecker, who also is in recovery. One said Hoffecker has "a truly philanthropic soul."
But Hayden wisely pointed out Hoffecker knew what he was doing and couldn't blame his crime on addiction, saying "If you have a drunken horse thief, and you take away the drink, you still have a horse thief."
Hoffecker insisted he didn't know his business wasn't legal, that he was assured by two commodities lawyers in the Bahamas that his activities were legal. So why was he seeking legal advice from lawyers in the Bahamas? U.S. Attorney Robert Kirsch pointed out it was Hoffecker's own greed that got him where he is today, and that "a stadium could be filled with the victims of his scams." Now he's got plenty of time to think about every one of the people he conned out of their money.
He wasn't crying when his telephone scamming ripped off hundreds of people -- many of them elderly -- of more than $14 million. Several recovering alcoholics and drug addicts testified on behalf of Hoffecker, who also is in recovery. One said Hoffecker has "a truly philanthropic soul."
But Hayden wisely pointed out Hoffecker knew what he was doing and couldn't blame his crime on addiction, saying "If you have a drunken horse thief, and you take away the drink, you still have a horse thief."
Hoffecker insisted he didn't know his business wasn't legal, that he was assured by two commodities lawyers in the Bahamas that his activities were legal. So why was he seeking legal advice from lawyers in the Bahamas? U.S. Attorney Robert Kirsch pointed out it was Hoffecker's own greed that got him where he is today, and that "a stadium could be filled with the victims of his scams." Now he's got plenty of time to think about every one of the people he conned out of their money.
64 Comments:
Clare,
My name is Amber Ulmer and I am Charles Hoffeckers Niece and god-daughter. My uncle was my saving grace. My mother, Chip's sister, was an alcoholic all of lives and still is and my uncle Chip also rescued us and took care of my brother and I while we were growing up. He helped raise us. I know the things he did were wrong, but u need to know that he was an amazing person and always took care of his family. He is an amazing person, despite the wrong do-ings he was convicted of. I just want u to know that the things that were said about him by his family and friends are completely true. He just traded one addiction for another. I am grown now and I realize that, however, that doesn't change what he has done for me and my family.
Clare,
I know that you feel that as a reporter that you are reporting fairly, I disagree. People in this country tend to believe that our government is correct on everything that they do. Is that out of ignorance or fear? Look at the decisions that our President has made and the situations that our country is in today. Was the public really told the truth or was it just justification for a different agenda? The government is run by humans who are not totally infallible and not beyond reproach for their actions or decisions.
I have known Mr.Hoffecker for a long time and I do know for a fact that Mr. Hoffecker is a loving,caring person who has helped more people in their life struggles than you probably have readers. You only listen to one side and do not bother to find out the actual facts of the entire case, which I feel is not journalism but true ignorance on your part. To tell the true story maybe it would be a good idea, if you, as a journalist would be objective. Everyone in this life makes mistakes and I'm sure that you have made plenty of your own, unless of course you are perfect. The mistakes that have been made are over with, but unfortunately your bias journalism continues due to fear and ignorance. Is there ever anyone in your field, who can look at the entire picture and give precise, fair reporting? Your comment about the lawyers in the Bahamas is off the mark. The number of clients was around 1,000. Tell me where Mr. Kirsch can fill a stadium with that number? Nobody blamed his crime on his addiction. He has been sober for 17 years. Being in a program as AA, these recovering people do make amends and I'm sure that when Mr. Hoffecker is released he will make those amends.
The sentence that was delivered to Mr. Hoffecker seems to be a little over the top for the crime. There have been other figures recently that have defrauded many more than 1000 people and have had more counts against them, that have received less time. Is our justice system fair or is it that prosecutors were determined enough to convict this man that they even had witnesses, who were offered lesser sentences themselves not tell the truth? I thought our system was a fair and just one under the Constitution, I do not feel that way now after this sentence. How many other people have been judged too harshly in our lifetime? Maybe as a journalist it would be a very interesting piece, if you could be objective, to research our justice system and the abuses that may occur in it, or are you too afraid?
Clare, What about the serial stock scammers recently, Enron, ect. I too was at that trial. Chip is a man who may have commited a crime but our Presidents have also scammed us, but their not in prison because of power. If Chip was the kingpin as the Goverment stated, where were his high-powered attorneys. Why did his partner get nine years for the same charges?
Ther are people who are doing less time for rapes & murders. The setup man Jack Feilds who was never mentioned was bared from his practice of law when Charles Hoffecker was captured on 260 hrs of tape. That's the set up and that was the crime. Alot of tapes were not introduced to the Jury. The tapes that would have helped Mr. Hoffecker were not allowed in by Judge Hayden, Clare why did you not tell the truth the whole nothing but the truth.
Chip defrauded his clients from their hard earned money and betrayed the trust of his clients.If I had the power, those that did the same from the highest to the lowest would be punished.
do you, Clare, even know anything about how Chip's business was run or did you just 'plagarize' your comments from what was said already?
This is in response to Ray----
If you read the comments that were made correctly regarding Mr. Hoffecker's addiction, I believe that it stated that no one is blaming his crime on his addiction.
Ray, I hope that you never have to experience any addiction issues with any one that you know in your life, but do remember one thing, what goes around comes around. Be careful what you say. As far as the personal attack on who was delivering the news (Clare), a journalist is to write commentary in a fair and objective way considering all factors regarding the article that is being presented to the public by that journalist. The article was not an objective one when you really do not know the complete history of a case. Maybe if you, Ray, knew all the particulars of this case maybe you could see beyond your government rose colores glasses and see that human beings run our government and no human being is a perfect man or woman. How do you know that the Hoffecker family was out in force? These comments posted may not be from just family members, but obviously being that you are a judgemental person you can't see beyond that. I really wish you luck in your years ahead I think that you are going to need it.
I have known chip Hoffecker since the 80's. He was, is, and always will be a crook of the highest order. There is nothing sincere about him. His family can say what they will but the truth is he got less than what he deserved. He should have gotten 25 years and lost every penny he had. He never made an honest dime in the last twenty years of his life. The fact that his family will still be allowed to live a life of luxury in their million dollar homes bought with scammed money is too good for them. They should have been left out in the street like all the people he stole from with not one iota of remorse. I say the Feds finally did their job right for a change. KUDOS!
To anonymous:
I AM proud to say that I am one of Charles Hoffecker's family members. Now, if you have known him for over 30 years and have the audacity and the ignorance to say that he is a bad man and had what was coming to him- then there is only one person who comes to mind. I know that anyone who has known chip can only say good things about him. And I know why you don't particularly like him. You need to get your facts straight. His family members are not living in their million dollar homes. I should also hope that you may look at yourself in the mirror. Do not wish bad and negativity upon his family. Take a look at yourself before you start passing judgement. How low are you? Again, someone who also was anonymous said: "what goes around comes around." Don't worry, you will get yours. Our family has never maliciously attacked others before. We are not that immature. Hopefully, you can change your ways because you will never move forward in life, judging and negating others are not the right paths to take.
Face it 'family member'. Hoffecker was, is, and always will be a crook. Nothing you or any other family member says will ever change that. Where do you think the millions came from? Why do you think he had money stashed in the Bahamas under his daughters names? Why did he have money stashed in a storage facility instead of a legitimate bank under a real name? Hey, you may not want to face the truth but it is the truth. He has been fleecing people since the 80's. The prosecutor was correct when he said you could fill a stadium with his victims. He finally got what was coming to him. Stop crying and let him take his medicine like a man. It's not very becoming to talk the talk, walk the walk, and then cry like a baby when you get caught. Deal with it. Oh btw, it seems like some other people he got into the business are taking a plea. Something he should have done in hindsight. Are they 'innocent' victims of the government conspiracy as well?
Charles Hoffecker was and is a bad man and a lier, he was connected with organized crime, many knew he was responsible for the disappearance of ( john? ) who was a independent sales office in Aventura Florida for Charles Hoffecker in 1995. ( john? ) who decided to do the currency scam on his own made the mistake of telling everyone that he ripped of Charles Hoffecker for 100,000.00 dollars and ( john? ) disappeared ( john? ) s body was never found. Charles Hoffecker is a very bad man and did not get enough years in jail.
Chip's niece, Amber, here again. You people need to understand that we (family members) do not dismiss what he has done, but anyone who has known the real chip, knows that he was a caring, giving man. His business choices were not the best, and we know that, however, he ALWAYS took care of his family, who by the way, are NOT living in luxury in their million dollar homes. We are dealing with a loss here. My uncle always took care of us kids while my mom(his older sister) was unstable and uncapable of taking care of my brother and I. He was such a blessing to our family. He saved us from my mother. If you can say that is a "bad man", you obviously don't know him.
Ms. Ulmer,
It is obvious you love your uncle Chip and that is as it should be. No one questions that he may have done nice things for his family throughout the years. However, that does not mitigate the life of a con man that he led by his own choice. He stole money for a living. He did it consistently and profitably for decades. He was ruthless in his methods and had absolutely no remorse while he was doing it. He was arrogant, in your face, and thumbed his nose at the people he stole from as well as the authorities who tried unsuccessfully for years to stop him. None of this can be mitigated by his treatment of you. It is very easy to spend other peoples money as the prosecutor justly said. If he is truly remorseful now he can dedicate himself to doing good work when he gets out. In the meantime it would be a good start if he would sell the two houses he owns bought with stolen money, and take the millions in cash the government found, and VOLUNTARILY give it back to some of the people he bankrupted. That would truly be a sign of remorse and change. However, as long as he still retains the homes and cash that was ill gotten from his businesses there will be no true forgiveness.
I wish you inner peace.
here is to all of "anonymous"
apparently you people don't know chip and IF u did you wouldnt be saying these things about him. 1st off he didnt steal money from people get if fucking staight n if he THOUGHT what he was doing was wrong he wouldnt have done it but yet he was told it was OK to do it. The family doesnt live in million dollar home n NO they should be left out on the street like the others . Dont be so cold hearted. Yeah sure they did live the life of luxury but now they dont and im sure it isnt fun for them if you only knew the real story.
he asked the laywers for advice becuase this is a ricks buisness. and as a matter of fact me as his DAUGHTER i will and want to go into the same buisness. And i will do just as good mayber an even better job that m dad and i will show u fuckers that what we are doing isnt wrong n u WILL feel like such idots and just wait i will show u and u WONT bring me down so please dont try.Oh and Clare he is a good guy and he didnt steal money n you couldnt fill up a stadium full of people that he "stole" money from . Geeze how do u sleep at night ? i wounder
Hey guys,
Keep dreaming. 2021. He's a crook. The lawyers? He has been doing the same thing for twenty years. What kool-aid are you guys drinking?????
Clare,
I have read all of the blogs and I have had enough. Everyone has the right to their beliefs. All of the people that voiced their opinion regarding Chip, besides family members, maybe should understand a few things and then move on bashing someone else. Chip is a husband, a father, a brother, an uncle and a son. His wife misses her husband, his daughters are in extreme pain, his sisters are trying to keep the family together and his 82 year old mother cries daily. The family is going through their own personal pain. It is like a death and if any of you have ever experienced that then you may realize how painful it is.
I also realize that the clients have gone through their own hardships as a result of THEIR decision to invest. I am not negating the client's pain and the circumstances that they have endured, but each and every one of those clients also need to take responsibility in their choice to invest. Everyone in this world has choices.One thing that maybe you need to keep in mind, these clients are still able to make money and support their families. That is no longer an option for Chip. The family has had to make many drastic changes in their lives and for their future. It has not been an easy situation for any of them either. I also feel that if the anonymous writers had any kind of courage and character to them they would identify themselves. Family members have identified themselves. That takes guts and courage, especially reading what has been said about their husband, their father, their uncle or their brother. This will be the last correspondence that is received from any family member. Everyone's lives must go on and not one of these blogs will change what has happened. I will tell all of you this, Chip's conviction does not and will not change any family members opinion of the man that we really and truely know..... and if you are not a family member then you have no idea.I wish all the anonymous writers luck,love and compassion in their lives.
Lori
Chip Hoffecker's Sister
It all sounds good but it is far from the truth. You guys are living in a parallel world. The people you say "invested" by their own choosing implies that they lost their money in some legitimate way. The reality is that they never had a chance to make money because the "investment" in your brother was a scam to begin with and never ever existed in the first place. So now you are putting the burden of your brother's misery on the peoples decision to "invest" with your brother? So, if they hadn't made this decision on their own your brother wouldn't be in the pickle he's in? Get real. You think people should feel sorry for you? Your brother has been scamming people for twenty years according to the authorities. He knew what he was doing all along. The only difference is now he got caught and a prosecutor with the courage to stop him finally did. You weren't crying all the years that he was socking away his millions were you? Yeah, at least the people who got scammed can still work for a living and earn back the money. What a cynical statement. You folks still don't get it. Not a one of you show any remorse at all for what he did. All you do is talk about what a great family man he was and how everyone is hurting. Everyone else be damned. Well, in some way I do feel sorry for you all. Not because your beloved Chip is in prison, but because you are all delusional and out of touch with reality. Well don't worry. In a short time all of the blogs will be gone. All the talk will be over and you will have gotten on with your lives. Then you will have plenty of time to think about it all. Maybe during that time you will find it in yourself to really understand what happened and why and stop living in denial. Your brother lived on the wrong side of the tracks and rolled the dice for many years and won. This time he lost and paid the big price. He knew and understood the game even if you never did.
From what I have read they still own the homes and the money is still theirs. Out of all the tens of millions they stole over the years they were only fined a little over two million. Who knows if that will ever be paid? Who says crime doesn't pay?
"Anonymous said...
he asked the laywers for advice becuase this is a ricks buisness. and as a matter of fact me as his DAUGHTER.....snip"
You're his daughter? Sweetie, if you're his daughter, he didn't do a very good job of raising you. Instead of riding horses and collecting ribbons and trophies to display in your room in your big house that was paid for by money that your daddy bilked from innocent people, you should have been studying and learning how to communicate effectively. You are a very poor spokesperson for your father, if you indeed are who you say you are. Nicole or Eva? Which is it?
If I had your father's money, you'd be reading and writing four languages fluently, instead of just one, poorly.
But then again, I don't expect much from a person raised by a womanizer who picked up vulnerable women at AA meetings.
It looks like he beat the system again. He is at a low security facility in central Florida outside of Orlando. This is one step down from the absolute lowest minimum security that the Feds have. Even Martha Stewart was in a more structured environment.
look Chip is a telephone thief that was all he knows, why should he not be good to his family all criminals are good to there family why not, he felt bad but could not stop, enjoy what he gave you because plenty of people suffered for what his family has, don't feel bad the food you eat and the cloths you ware is stolen money don't feel bad everyone knows, and one day a angry customer is going to kill chip, he was crying to the judge please please help me Ha Ha Ha he is a punk
chip is also gay, now he is having homosexual sex every day, that is the truth
chip is a piece of SHIT and so is his family
I worked for "Chip" for about a year and let me tell you he is a crook. He is as arrogant as he can be to all people who he feels are beneith him. He was a show off and a bragger. Sure it is easy to take care of people and family memebers with a smile on your face with other peoples money. I worked in his offfice and I can tell you that his company was a complete rip off and everyone who worked for him,including his arrogant sister was a crook also. It was an unspoken truth. All commodity services are rip offs. I am so glad the CFTC and NFA are finally stopping this kind of action. His wife is not sad at all. He was sleeping with all his employees and whoever else he could fit in. I saw it for myself and can't tell you how happy I am he is behind bars. I just wish it was a high security encarceration so he could feel the fright and pain everyday, so he does not forget what he did. If I would have known this action was taking place, I would have testified myself. Good job justice.... Way to go
Don't want to kick an asshole when he is down and out, but then again, this guy was one special asshole. I have known this fuck since the 70's in the wyoming valley.He lived his life ripping off friends, family, employers, girlfriends.
Fuck him and let him rot in jail, and if he ever gets out, there is a hot spot in hell waiting for him and his kind.
Chip was by far the worst person I have ever known and the closest to evil I have ever been. He hurt people, physically and mentally. He cheated on and ruined every woman he went near. He used people and was and still is the very definition of a sociopath. His sister was a loser who saw first hand what a horrible man Chip was when she worked for him. She sadly lives in denial. Just because a scumbag gives his family some of his blood money this does not make him a good man. He robbed people and laughed about it. The family can say whatever it wants, but there is no doubt that Chip is a terrible human being who has created a million times more pain and suffering for decent people than the happiness he brought to the few family members and friends he helped. No amount of punishment will ever be enough.
I feel so sad after reading this. I worked for Chip for about 2 years and I can honestly say he is a good person. He gave me a job and trusted me when nobody else did and so did his sister Lori. He helped my boyfriend and paid for his rehab, and he did all those things just because. People say everything he did was for his own benefit, but I know that is not true. What could he possibly want from me? I had nothing to give him. That's why I can say I'm glad God put him in my and my boyfriends life and that he's a great friend and person and so is his family.
I also know he was always surrounded by enemies pretending to be friends, but shame on you for putting him down, because all of you got something from him in a vicious way.
Finally, despite all your comments, I still have faith we'll see Chip sooner than later.
Priscilla
My name is SAUL and I have been a friend of CHIP"s since 99 when I started working for him at one of his firms.You guys talk about his greed, as long as I known him all he ever did was try to help people. He wasn't just about people who worked for him or earned. He is a person who would give from his heart to help anyone get threw thier struggles. WHY DO I CALL HIM MY FRIEND! HE TAUGHT ME 2 THINGS I DIDN'T HaVE A CLUE ABOUT WHEN I STARTED WORKING FOR HIM. TAKE CARE AND BE A FATHER TO YOUR DAUGHTER!!!!!! HOW TO BE A FRIEND!!! HE WAS FRIEND ALWAY WHEN I WAS FUCKING UP HE WAS THERE WHEN I WAS GOOD HE WAS THERE. HE WOULD NEVER GIVE UP ON ME. TOO THIS DAY I TALK TO HIM EVERY 2 WEEKS AND EVEN BEING WHERE HE IS ALL HE WANTS FROM ME IS FOR ME TO BE A GOOD DAD AND TO STAY CLEAN. O YEAH FOR THOSE WHO ARE THINKING YOU MADE A LOT OF MONEY FOR HIM. I LAUGH, I'M A VERY SMALL FRY THAT HE CARE ABOUT UNCONDITIONALLY !!!
I WILL NEVER ABANDONE CHIP I WILL BE HIS FRIEND AND HELP HIM FOR AS LONG AS IT TAKES FOR HIM TO GET OUT. AND MAKE NO MISTAKE HE WILL BE OUT !!!!!!!!!
SAUL
Chip is one of the best people I have ever met in my entire life. All you people that have bad things to say about him are either jealous that he was more successful than you will EVER be or just plain ignorant.
Prudy
I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THE COMMENTS THAT I HAVE READ. CHIP IS A GOOD MAN AND HELPED MANY PEOPLE. I HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON CHIP.
Worked with Chip and have known him since 1992.A great salesman and a nice guy.However a true criminal who got what he deserved.
Funny thing I was looking on line to see if the Ben Kuhne who got indicted for money laundering was the same asshole who told Chip he could win his case. And low and behold it was the same one. If Kuhne had been truthful with Chip and given him sound advise, meaning telling him, “you’re a guilty fuck and should take the deal”, way back when this whole thing started, he’d be out of prison and probably almost off probation by now. Come to think of it Kuhne might have told him that but of course, Chip doesn’t listen to anyone. Anyway, when I Googled, Charles Hoffecker, this blog appeared. Great reading. I’m so surprised I never saw it before. Just a few comments: Lori please, you, yourself are a thief, you stole from the last employer you worked for before you starting working with your brother and then stole from Sam. Anyone around the Hoffecker camp back in the day knows that. I got a kick out of the woman who worked for Chip for a year and said that he was so wonderful by sending her boyfriend off to treatment. Either you or your boyfriend must have brought in deals. Again, closer’s. That’s what he was about, he enabled anyone who brought in the money. Make no mistake about his kind heartedness, if you got something from him it was because you had something he wanted, he might have helped a few people, but it was his ego and in some way, shape or form he got something in return. He is a ruthless, nasty, lying, cheating husband, who thought it was funny to get some ones last dollar. In one case he even scammed a father and mother to invest in the business with their son’s money. The money was a settlement rewarded given to him because of an accident that made him mentally incapable of taking care of himself and needed that money so he could be taken care of later on in his life after his parents were gone or not capable of caring for him anymore. So what if the kids father was stupid enough to fall for Chips bullshit. Chip thought it was a great accomplishment to rip them off. He is a homophobic, racist (I wonder how that’s playing out in prison) who hated woman unless he was taking advantage of them, (I’m being kind in explaining that one.) Not only did he cheat on his wife but he cheated on the girlfriends he was cheating with. A real sweetheart of a guy. By the way, Chips ego never let him listen to anyone, let alone a high powered attorney, and by the way what consistutes a high powered attorney? Chip hired yes men and did exactly what he wanted, legal or not mostly illegal. Oh and about his partner, Ed Myers, first of all he wasn’t his partner, Chip didn’t have partners Myers was one of Chip’s boys, and after Ed heard how many years Chip got sentenced too he finally decided to plead out and gave up his right to an appeal. That’s why he only got 9 years. Besides Ed didn’t steal a quarter of the money Chip did, he should have turned on Chip years earlier. He’s also a thief too but make no mistake that Charles P. Hoffecker was the one and only kingpin, he was at the top of the piramid. And by the way guys his ex-wife still lives in that million dollar home on the inter coastal. And I’m sure his new wife is still living in her Hoffecker bought home. For that idiot who knows Chip since the 80's you probably never worked for him or socialized with him or you wouldn’t have said that we should get it right, that he didn’t steal money from people that he thought he was doing it right. I can’t even imagine that whoever is saying and thinking that isn’t locked up in a padded room and is walking around free. Whoever said they worked for Chip for a number of years and watched him do good towards the sick and suffering addicts you must have been one them and must have brought in a lot of money for him too or just had no concept of what he was doing, most of the recovery community knows that he’s a creep and a low life scam artist. Again, it’s only the ones he paid to stay around him and feed his ego that would tell you how wonderful he was but deep down they hated his guts too and stayed for the money. Stop your shit. Let’s get this straight once and for all Chip was banned for life from dealing with any physical commodities stemming from his bullshit with Univest. So everyone he hired to be his front men and employees he was putting in illegal situations and all the time claiming it was for tax bracket purposes. He screwed us all and didn’t care what happened. I agree that he’s getting away easy being in a low security federal prison. But not to worry for those of you who think he’s got it rough and that he shouldn’t be where he is, I’m sure he’s running bible study classes and hopefully he’s found a nice bitch to take care of his needs. Or maybe he’s someone else’s bitch for a change.
I've read all the posted blogs since 6/22/06. It sounds like there are quite a few disapointed employees. I didn't see one blog from a person who was scammed.
I new Chip through our family relationship, and I always new he would make it somewhere. But jail wasn't one of them.
Good luck CHIP..........
I hear from the top of the proverbial grapevine that Chip “The Philanthropist” Hoffecker has lost his appeal and is going to spend all of the 210 months that Judge Hayden sentenced him. I am glad to see that high powered blood money cannot buy your innocence.
chip cheated at slow-pitch softball also
chip cheated at slow-pitch softball also
lainati knew chip a thief lowlife who would sell his dead sister's grave
I knew Chip for alot of years. He neither took anything from me nor did he give anything to me other than friendship. I will always consider him my friend. Although I have had no contact with him for years I have a soft spot in my heart for him. I know what he did was wrong and his wrongs could never be made up to the families who lost through any type of restitution. I do not believe prison is the answer it is simply a warehousing of persons. I think it is time our government looked at alternative punishments. Maybe taking the white collar criminals and putting them to use to the good of society. Instead we just lock them away at our own expense. Chip Good Luck, I miss you
I know all these guys, i worked for most of them. Chip is/was a Ft Lauderdale telemarketing crook who got what he had coming. Just because one doesnt drink/drug anymore doesnt mean they are good people. You idiots that think just because one gets sober they automatically turn into honest productive members of society!! HA HA!Your delusional people,believing this crap, addicts/alcoholics are SUB STANDARD social misfits to begin with, they arent even close to being normal just because they take the drugs/booze away; LOL!! This guy got what he had coming, he fleeced thousands of people out of their hard earned money and should have gotten 25-30 years.No sympathy from me at all, especially to you whining asshole family members that lived off of the ill gotten gains from a crook...
Good to see the truth coming out after all the years. Old Chipppy boy still locked up where he belongs. The guy should rot in jail for all the years he spent as KING of the Ft. Lauderdale scammers. The one sad part is that he isn't in max. Instead he got the farm. The second sad part is his family got to keep most of what he stole. I'm not sure how that happened. I thought crooks forfeited their stolen many. Oh well, at least he won't get out for a while. That's the good news.
it's funny,but by the way some of you have answer .. i know who you are and I'm surprise that you dare to say crap about chip now even after you yourself knew what was going on and was part of it and also boorow money from chip..cause you knew you would say you didnt have it to pay it back and he let you get away with it..Yes, chip probaly did things wrong, but in the same breath he helped out alot of people...I'm surprise he got all those years, cause the last 3 scamers and we all know who they were 2 of them were women only got a couple of months..come on....
I find it amazing all the bitterness put out towards Chip. I know that Chip, like all of us is not perfect. I will not pretend like some of you to know what is in his heart. I can speak to how he treated me and my sons. I worked for Chip for years and was not the top producer. I am divorced and split time with my sons. When I had them, he would help keep them busy when I brought them in the office. He would make sure that they enjoyed time here by providing tickets to games and attractions. I lost my wallet at Busch Gardens and Chip got me the cash to get my kids back to Louisiana and me back home.
I was not the top producer. Chip fired me from his commodity firm but kept in touch and helped me keep my life in order. I will always respect Chip and keep him in my prayers.
Greed comes from both the sales team and the prospect. Any research and any review of paperwork show the extremely high degree of risk in any of investments. It's the American way now. Everyone wants something for nothing and then whine when you get burned.
All you angry, hurt ones would be easier to believe if you weren't commenting anonymously.
Chip-I hope you're out soon
why are people still writing about this ? Get on with your lives , honestly.
hello scum bags that write on this blog you dont know chip and you dont know about our family you guys all wish you had what he did and he is the best guy i ever met in my life........ but the funny thing is all the people that talk shit make me laugh because soon enough he will be out in his car driving around being the same great guy he always was and always will be for the dumb asses that are too pussy to say who you are i hope something happens to you dumb fucks because dont forget it will come back around i hope you and your shitty familys have a great life bc one day some shit will happen to you and dont forget the hoffecker name..... i knoe chip i look at him like a father and i knoe he takes care of everyone that he could so FUCK YOU PIECES OF SHIT people that talk shit write back leave your number and let me find one of you love your friend jimboooooo
Chip... Look me up if you ever get to Ohio. Our parents worked together in Brunswick NJ. Enjoy the rest of your vacation.
John Malo_ _.
Hi John, can you please leave your email so I can pass your info along to Chip?
Hoffecker offered the same investment products that an investor can find at hundred brokerage firms. The investors who lost money lost because the market moved against them, not because Hoffecker embezzled their money. Each of the investors read, understood and signed, a detailed, plain-English risk disclosure statement. The proportion of winning investors to losing investors mirrored industry averages and are no different than the retail win/lose ratios at Merrill Lynch or Morgan Stanley. When I think of Hoffecker’s case I’m reminded of a quote from Voltaire: It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.
chip was a thief, the judge was right. He robbed many people for a very long time, so enuff of the recovery BS, , he hid behind the false sense of being a do gooder in recovery. the judge pegged him for exactly what he IS. a thief that didn't drink.bravo to the judge,
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Crazy how 26 years later I can remember so vividly Charles Hoffecker. "Chip". I worked for him for a short time in Cali. I babysat for his kids! His wife and family where all so nice. I was very young, and not worldly at all. He was good to me when I was so far from my family. I'm not clear as to the how he broke the law. I know that investors engaged in what was understood to be an investment in communities both tangibles, and untangles. I believe the business goes "bad" when the physical possession does not exist. Therefore the leveraging that the companies where excepting dollars for, which where not Federally insured is where he stepped over the line. And if I am able to decipher this, Im quite sure that any moderately educated individual can do the same. I feel bad for the "investors" and wish that they could get paid back. I feel bad for his family, as they are too victims. They have been lead to believe that the companies where all legit. Think about how many people that where individually coerced. Now knowing how refined the skills of deception had become to stay in business and out of jail for over 25 years, his family most certainly had been deceived as well. Please remember that its not just this one being, or entity that has successfully managed to siphon the financial life out of thousands. I pray for the people who have loss money, I pray for the family who has lost a father, husband.... I pray for forgiveness so that individually we all can move forward wisely.
Hi im a 27 year old father and husband. I was convicted of bank fraud a couple of years ago and was sentenced to 10 months in federal prison. I was devastated and so was my wife and daughter, i lost everything i had worked for over 3100 dollars. When i got to my final destination i met a man named chip (Charles Hoffecker) he was my first friend and pretty much my only friend. Since i have been released from prison my life is back on track and my family is together again. I have renewed my relationship with God and my father all because of chip. I have read some terrible things people has said about him he is a great man. I still write him once a week. You people have no idea how fragile your freedom and rights are. Any of you could easily be in his position. If the federal government wants you in jail, you ARE going to jail, and your rights will be stripped you will no longer be an American immigrants will have more rights than you. Chip has served his time he has been there for 7 years now. He has been in the deepest darkest loneliest places on earth i know cause i was in the s.h.u. with him for 2 months and thats a place you people couldn't stay in for 1 night. I can honestly say the short time i spent with him he taught me alot. Thank you so much chip you are a great friend. And i will see you again
Another lying felon sticking up for good Ol'Chip. Takes one to know one I guess. I bet you are putting to use all the good tricks Chipper taught you in he hoosegow, like beating up women, ripping off the elderly and hiding behind drugs and drink to justify it all. I hope he rots in that deepest darkest place where he deserves to be, and you will probably join him again real soon. Go to hell both of you
I'd be careful about who you piss off. You might end up regretting what you said punk.
May the Lord bless Chip...he is a good man, and the Lord has a great plan for him, he will rise...he will come to accomplish what the Lord expect from him....
Another Scumbag like Maureen Donadio (Okeefe)
The whole system is broken. Everyone is responsible for their own actions. I still can't believe an attorney can become an informant on their own clients. People will fabricate evidence to gain their freedom.
Saul, Maureen Donadio, aka Maureen O'keefe, and Charles, "Chip" Hoffecker, all scumbag drug addicts hiding out in AA, all scumbags, especially Maureen Donadio, real name Maureen O'keefe, absolute scumbag.
Thinking about big time scammers, I ran "Chip" thru google today and found out he is EXACTLY where he should be. This piece of work must be a genius to have escaped the law for so long.
I know Hoffecker since the late 70's when he arrived in Fort Lauderdale pretending to be Peter Cetera from the group Chicago and connecting up with a waitress at the old Mr. Pip's on Federal Highway.
Now that I know where Chip is, I wonder whatever became of that waitress!
Just a few more years to go and you will be free as a bird. Enjoy your stay.
He's in a halfway house in Miami, to be released next June.
Good old "Chip" is back in circulation. He was released on February 11, 2020.
Hold onto your wallet!
He's out and he's done his time. He could care less about these slanderish comments. He is a good guy, and knows the truth, along with all who care deeply for him.
All you naysayers who are not interested in putting your names in the blog are cowards and should be ashamed of yourselves. He has taken a negative situation and turned it into a positive one.
His faith is strong and he is already rebuilding his life. We are all very excited to see where his future will go.
I bet he's on the phone trying to rip off old folks, he knows nothing but to scam
Chip and that entire crew in ft Lauderdale were all slimy thieves that didn't have the balls to rob people with a gun, they're nonsense kept going on and on and on for decades they robbed innocent people they moved their operations to the Bahamas to Cancun to Amsterdam to the Philippines anywhere they can set up shop that had a phone line they did. I happen to personally know about all of these crooks all of you, a lot of you didn't get caught her indicted but you're going to pay a price for every person you ripped off on the phone.
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