FBI sting nets real estate scammers

Dennis J. Clinton, 64, a former San Diego real estate investment manager, was one of three persons sentenced earlier this month for participation in a fraud scheme. They promised an investor a high yield without risk and said the plan was part of a program of the Federal Reserve, the nation's central bank.

However, it was a government sting: they were trying to sell the fraudulent investment to an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, according to a release this month from the Department of Justice.

Clinton was sentenced to 30 months in prison. He acted as a trouble-shooter and was involved in the transfer of funds to a Swiss banker.