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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
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

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
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

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
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

GemCoin (cryptocurrency, digital currency) investors share fraud concerns with Arcadia City Council. Councilman John Wuo declined to respond to accusations of wrongdoing and their call for his resignation from council. Former Arcadia council member Floretta Lauber defended John Wuo.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34322
Newspaper
Arcadia Weekly
Date
September 17, 2015
Pages
p. 1, 16, 17
Newspaper
Arcadia Weekly
Date
September 17, 2015
Pages
p. 1, 16, 17
Subjects
Arvizu, David
Gemcoin (company)
US Fine Investment Arts, Inc. (USFIA)
Wuo, John
Item ID
34516AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Arcadia City Councilman John Wuo resigned, citing health and personal reasons. He had served on council for 12 years, including as mayor for 3 terms. His resignation comes on the heels of a lawsuit and intense scrutiny of his alleged involvement with GemCoin (digital currency) and alleged violations of the Political Reform Act's statement of economic interests disclosure requirement and conflict of interest.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34319
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
October 7, 2015
Pages
p. A1, A4
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
October 7, 2015
Pages
p. A1, A4
Subjects
Arvizu, David
Gemcoin (company)
US Fine Investment Arts, Inc. (USFIA)
Wuo, John
Item ID
34513AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Arcadia Councilman John Wuo's ties to GemCoin (digital currency) draw scrutiny. The Fair Political Practices Commission is investigating him for a potential violation of the Political Reform Act. Arcadia resident David Arvizu filed the complaint with the FPPC.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34320
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
October 6, 2015
Pages
p. A1, A4
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
October 6, 2015
Pages
p. A1, A4
Subjects
Arvizu, David
Gemcoin (company)
US Fine Investment Arts, Inc. (USFIA)
Wuo, John
Item ID
34512AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
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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
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
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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
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
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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
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
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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
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
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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
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
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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
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

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
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

SEC reports show Gemcoin, USFIA were set up to 'defraud investors.' USFIA claimed it had amber mines, millions in precious gems, and other assets to back up its digital currency called Gemcoin, but none of that was real.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34499
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
March 20, 2016
Pages
p. A5

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

Fair Political Practices Committee (FPPC) may fine Arcadia's disgraced former mayor John Wuo $2000 for his failure to report certain financial rewards from his participation in the now infamous Gemcoin scam.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34719
Newspaper
Arcadia Weekly
Date
November 17, 2016
Pages
p. 12
Newspaper
Arcadia Weekly
Date
November 17, 2016
Pages
p. 12
Subjects
Arcadia mayors
Fair Political Practices Committee (FPPC)
Gemcoin
Wuo, John
Item ID
34911AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Arcadia City Council appoints ex-mayor Mickey Segal to fill seat vacated by John Wuo's resignation, until the municipal election in April. Wuo, who served on City Council for 12 years, resigned two weeks ago amid mounting allegations over his endorsement of USFIA and Gemcoin, in addition to an ethics investigation launched in September by the Fair Political Practices Commission. Segal is a CPA. Also the zoning code update resumes.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34353
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
October 22, 2015
Pages
p. A1, A5
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
October 22, 2015
Pages
p. A1, A5
Subjects
Arcadia City Council-2010-2019
Gemcoin
Segal, Mickey
Wuo, John
Item ID
34546AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
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Arcadia City Council proceeds with commercial zoning code update; John Wuo addresses Gemcoin controversy, saying he has no financial stake in Gemcoin.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34242
Newspaper
Arcadia Weekly
Date
July 23, 2015
Pages
p. 1, 13
Newspaper
Arcadia Weekly
Date
July 23, 2015
Pages
p. 1, 13
Subjects
Arcadia City Council-2010-2019
Arvizu, David
Burch, Tim
Gemcoin
Tong, Robert
Wuo, John
Zoning codes
Item ID
34436AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
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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
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 officials respond to document connecting councilman John Wuo with Gemcoin CEO George Klau. Wuo says connections to Gemcoin have nothing to do with city business.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34294
Newspaper
Arcadia Weekly
Date
September 10, 2015
Pages
p. 1, 16
Newspaper
Arcadia Weekly
Date
September 10, 2015
Pages
p. 1, 16
Subjects
Arcadia City Council
Klau, George
Wuo, John
Item ID
34488AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

20 records – page 1 of 1.