He stole from elderly, served time

The Securities and Exchange Commission today (April 17) banned Charles Duane Lewis from association with anyone in the securities industry. Lewis, who resides in La Mesa, was a broker with H.D. Vest Investment Securities from 1999 through 2010. He also provided accounting services through Fletcher Hills Tax Service.

In February of 2011, he was sentenced to prison and told to pay restitution of $332,661 after being convicted of theft from an elder. In April of 2013, he was convicted of fraudulent appropriation of funds, and was incarcerated from April of 2013 through November of 2013. He was ordered to pay restitution of $339,391.

In 2013, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority charged that between 2007 and 2010, Lewis obtained power of attorney over a woman in her 80s, and wrote 61 checks to himself, his tax firm, and a friend for a total of $550,495. Lewis submitted an offer of settlement to the Securities and Exchange Commission.