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Arcadia Gem Coin mastermind Steve Chen sentenced to 10 years in prison. One of Arcadia’s largest financial scandals in 2015 involved cryptocurrency and a host of well-known public officials, including a former Arcadia mayor, for involvement in a Ponzi scheme that ultimately shut down the operations of the Arcadia business known as U.S. Fine Investment Arts, Inc. (USFIA).

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper35891
Newspaper
Arcadia Weekly
Date
January 14, 2021
Pages
p. 2
More detail
Newspaper
Arcadia Weekly
Date
January 14, 2021
Pages
p. 2
Subjects
Chen, Steve
Cryptocurrency
Gem Coin
US Fine Investment Arts, Inc. (USFIA)
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Arcadia firm GemCoin proves it owns amber mines in Caribbean, backing E-currency (cryptocurrency), despite earlier claims those mines did not exist. Still, there is no evidence GemCoin's digital currency had any revenue backing it beyond the funds generated from investors, according to court-appointed company tasked with going through U.S. Fine Investment Art Inc.'s books. Investigators found 300 acres of land in Dominican Republic, with a working mine, purchased for $373,000 in the name of CEO Steve Chen's brother Yan Chen.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34724
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
November 23, 2016
Pages
p. A1, A6
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
November 23, 2016
Pages
p. A1, A6
Subjects
Chen, Steve
Chen, Yan
Cryptocurrency
Gemcoin
U.S. Fine Investment Art Inc.
Item ID
34916AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Feds seize assets of US Fine Investment Arts (USFIA), a company that sells GemCoin, a digital currency that is purportedly backed by amber and other precious gems. Arcadia City Councilman John Wuo has denied any connection to the company. Securities and Exchange Commission served a temporary restraining order against USFIA and CEO Steven Chen. USFIA is under scrutiny for allegedly defrauding investors.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34316
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
September 30, 2015
Pages
p. A1, A4
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
September 30, 2015
Pages
p. A1, A4
Subjects
Chen, Steve
Gemcoin (company)
US Fine Investment Arts, Inc. (USFIA)
Wuo, John
Item ID
34509AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Documents reveal fraud case against Arcadia-based Gemcoin, a cryptocurrency investment scheme. The Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) ultimate goal is to make Gemcoin chief Steve Chen return alleged fraudulently acquired millions with interest, pay hefty fines, and ban him from the securities business.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34329
Newspaper
Arcadia Weekly
Date
October 8, 2015
Pages
p. 1, 16
More detail
Newspaper
Arcadia Weekly
Date
October 8, 2015
Pages
p. 1, 16
Subjects
Chen, Steve
Gemcoin (company)
United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
US Fine Investment Arts, Inc. (USFIA)
Wuo, John
Item ID
34522AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

A recent report filed in federal court says Gemcoin's scam collected $164 million. Initially, investigators linked Gemcoin to $32 million in fraudulent investment. Steven Chen, his company U.S. Fine Investment Arts Inc., and Gemcoin (digital currency backed by precious gem reserves and amber mines) are accused of a "worldwide pyramid scheme."

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34615
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
July 24, 2016
Pages
p. A7
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
July 24, 2016
Pages
p. A7
Subjects
Chen, Steven
Crime and Criminals
Fraud
Gemcoin
Seaman, Thomas
U.S. Fine Investment Arts Inc.
Item ID
34807AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Arcadia-based company US Fine Investment Arts, Inc. is under investigation by state and federal agencies as it faces allegations from investors that it swindled them out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. The company has connections to Arcadia Councilman John Wuo.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34311
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
September 16, 2015
Pages
p. A1, A4
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
September 16, 2015
Pages
p. A1, A4
Subjects
Chen, Steve
Gemcoin (company)
US Fine Investment Arts, Inc.
Wuo, John
Yang, Solomon
Item ID
34505AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Arcadia firm US Fine Investment Arts (USFIA) is charged in fraud. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) alleges operator used GemCoin in a worldwide pyramid scheme, allegedly bilking investors out of $32 million.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34317
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
October 3, 2015
Pages
p. A1, A6
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
October 3, 2015
Pages
p. A1, A6
Subjects
Chen, Steve
Gemcoin (company)
US Fine Investment Arts, Inc. (USFIA)
Wuo, John
Item ID
34510AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Monrovia man Yi Chen gets 4 years in prison for fraud in a student visa scheme to get Chinese immigrants into the U.S. unlawfully. From June 2015-February 2021, Chen was the CEO and owner of two so-called educational consulting companies in Alhambra and Arcadia that charged foreign students thousands of dollars for "guaranteed" admission to a college that would lead to the issuance of an F-1 student visa. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 2, October 6, 2022.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper36335
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
October 5, 2022
Pages
p. A3
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
October 5, 2022
Pages
p. A3
Subjects
Chen, Yi "Brian"
Crime and Criminals
Fraud
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Thomas Seaman, investigator of alleged Gemcoin fraud, issues first report. It reveals mounting evidence of fraudulent activity by Arcadia businessman Steve Chen a.k.a. Li Chen or Chen Li, whose business was at 135 E. Live Oak Ave., currently in receivership.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34350
Newspaper
Arcadia Weekly
Date
November 26, 2015
Pages
p. 1, 16
More detail
Newspaper
Arcadia Weekly
Date
November 26, 2015
Pages
p. 1, 16
Subjects
Chen, Steve aka Li Chen or Chen Li
Chen, Mo
Gemcoin (company)
Seaman, Thomas
Zhao, Jennifer aka Li Zhao or Zhao Li
Item ID
34543AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Feds raid US Fine Investment Arts (USFIA) offices in Arcadia; Wuo's connections under more scrutiny.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34328
Newspaper
Arcadia Weekly
Date
October 1, 2015
Pages
p. 1, 16
More detail
Newspaper
Arcadia Weekly
Date
October 1, 2015
Pages
p. 1, 16
Subjects
Chen, Steve
Gemcoin (company)
United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
US Fine Investment Arts, Inc. (USFIA)
Wuo, John
Item ID
34521AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Some residents call for Arcadia City Councilman John Wuo's resignation amid allegations that he used his position to influence local Chinese Americans to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into a company called US Fine Investment Arts, Inc., which sells GemCoin, a digital currency, that some investors allege is fraudulent.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34312
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
September 17, 2015
Pages
p. A3
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
September 17, 2015
Pages
p. A3
Subjects
Gemcoin (company)
US Fine Investment Arts, Inc.
Wuo, John
Item ID
34506AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Some residents call for Arcadia City Councilman John Wuo's resignation amid allegations that he used his position to influence local Chinese Americans to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into a company called US Fine Investment Arts, Inc., which sells GemCoin, a digital currency, that some investors allege is fraudulent.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34313
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
September 17, 2015
Pages
p. A3
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
September 17, 2015
Pages
p. A3
Subjects
Gemcoin (company)
US Fine Investment Arts, Inc.
Wuo, John
Item ID
34506AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Troubles mount in GemCoin (digital currency) scheme. Arcadia company is accused of scamming investors out of millions in a pyramid scheme since 2013, possibly earlier. Arcadia Councilman John Wuo denies any involvement, even after YouTube videos surfaced showing him at Gemcoin marketing events.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34318
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
October 2, 2015
Pages
p. A1, A6
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
October 2, 2015
Pages
p. A1, A6
Subjects
Chen, Steve
Gemcoin (company)
Johnson, Leonard Stacy
US Fine Investment Arts, Inc. (USFIA)
Wuo, John
Zhao, Weiwen (Wayne)
Item ID
34511AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Arcadia couple Edward Chen, aka Jianqiao Chen, Jian Qiao Chen, and Jian Chen aka Jing Jiang and Jean Jiang, accused of fraud involving defrauding investors through EB-5 visa schemes. The couple's companies raised more than $22.5 million from 45 Chinese investors, purportedly to build an interior design center in Ontario and a condominium building in Los Angeles. See also "Arcadia couple faces court hearing for stealing $12 million," Arcadia Weekly, p. 1,3 October 5, 2017.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34970
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
September 30, 2017
Pages
p. A3, A8
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
September 30, 2017
Pages
p. A3, A8
Subjects
Chen, Edward
Chen, Jian Qiao
Chen, Jianqiao
Crime and Criminals
Jiang, Jing
Jiang, Jean
Fraud
Item ID
35160AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

California State Treasurer John Chiang and Arcadia leaders shower accolades at the groundbreaking of Le Meridien, One Gallop Way. It is a $300 million hotel and mixed-use development on seven acres, opposite Santa Anita Park race track. Developer Chateau Group USA held the ceremonal groundbreaking on June 27. Le Meridien is a Marriott brand. CEO Eric Chen spoke. Architects Orange, interior design firm Linda Snyder Associates and construction company Snyder Langston have been tapped to work this project. To open in 2020.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper35211
Newspaper
Arcadia Weekly
Date
June 28, 2018
Pages
p. 1, 10
More detail
Newspaper
Arcadia Weekly
Date
June 28, 2018
Pages
p. 1, 10
Subjects
Chateau Group
Chen, Eric
Chiang, John
Hotels and motels
Le Meridien
Marriott
Item ID
35400AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Arcadia company Gemcoin, a digital currency or "cryptocurrency," has been using Arcadia City Councilman John Wuo's image on its website and marketing materials. John Wuo denies any endorsement of Gemcoin.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34234
Newspaper
Arcadia Weekly
Date
July 2, 2015
Pages
p. 1, 12, 13
More detail
Newspaper
Arcadia Weekly
Date
July 2, 2015
Pages
p. 1, 12, 13
Subjects
Allied Financial Group
Chen, Steve
Gemcoin
U.S. Fine Investment Arts
Wuo, John
Item ID
34428AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

El Monte man pleads guilty to killing boss in office. Zhong Qi Chen, 63, pleaded guilty to fatally shooting his boss Yining Xie, 58, of Arcadia, at a newspaper office in Alhambra in 2018, at The China Press, 2121 W. Mission Road, Alhambra, CA.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper36457
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
April 1, 2023
Pages
p. A8
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
April 1, 2023
Pages
p. A8
Subjects
Chen, Zhong Qi
Crime and Criminals
Shootings
Xie, Yining
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Federal receiver released report #2 saying there is no indication USFIA's Gemcoin was legitimate.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34493
Newspaper
Arcadia Weekly
Date
March 10, 2016
Pages
p. 1, 23
More detail
Newspaper
Arcadia Weekly
Date
March 10, 2016
Pages
p. 1, 23
Subjects
Chen, Steve
Fraud
Gemcoin (company)
Ponzi scheme
US Fine Investment Arts, Inc. (USFIA)
United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Wuo, John
Item ID
34685AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Former Arcadia man accused of lying, losing millions of investors' money. James Arthur McDonald, Jr. former CEO and Chief Investment Officer of Hercules Investments LLC and Index Strategy Advisors Inc. was charged with one count of securities fraud. Prosecutors claim McDonald lost clients of his Los Angeles-based firm Hercules millions of dollars in late 2020. He had been renting a home in Arcadia.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper36351
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
September 22, 2022
Pages
p. A8
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
September 22, 2022
Pages
p. A8
Subjects
Crime and Criminals
Fraud
McDonald, James Arthur
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Arcadia resident in the 700 block of Camino Grove Avenue finds the body of a stranger in his swimming pool. The dead man is 35-year old Greg Tser-Ming Chen of Arcadia. Foul play was not initially suspected in the death. Chen's dog, a golden retriever, which was not on a leash, was found in the backyard too. Chen leaves behind a wife Maggie, who is pregnant with the couple's second child, and a toddler-aged son. See also Pasadena Star News, p. A3, August 9, 2013.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper33584
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
August 10, 2013
Pages
p. A3
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
August 10, 2013
Pages
p. A3
Subjects
Chen, Greg Tser-Ming
Deaths
Item ID
33779AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

20 records – page 1 of 1.