Author: CNN Newsource

By Kara Kenney

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    INDIANAPOLIS (WRTV) — The former CEO of a financial firm that victimized Indiana families pleaded guilty to wire fraud.

It’s an update to a story WRTV Investigates first broke in 2024 about Drive Planning LLC, which had an office at 8100 E 106th Street in Fishers and was planning a new building at 116th and Olio Road.

Todd Burkhalter, CEO of Georgia-based financial advisory group Drive Planning, pleaded guilty to wire fraud on Wednesday and will be sentenced at a later date. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia says Burkhalter was the mastermind behind a years-long Ponzi scheme that allowed him to live a lavish lifestyle while causing thousands of investors to lose hundreds of millions of dollars.

Throughout the scheme, investors’ money was used to pay off other Drive Planning investors, make commission payments to Drive Planning’s agents, and pay for personal expenditures, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

For example, Burkhalter spent approximately:

$2 million to purchase a yacht $2.1 million as part of a purchase of a luxury condo in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico $800,000 on multiple luxury vehicles, including a 2020 Prevost Marathon motorcoach and two 2024 Land Rovers Millions of dollars on luxury travel, including chartering private jets $320,000 on clothing, jewelry and beauty treatments

“Unbelievably, Burkhalter shamelessly continued to scam his victims even while under federal investigation,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Today’s guilty plea is just the first step in holding Burkhalter accountable for the considerable harm he caused.”

Patrick and Laura Mcloughlin of Noblesville thought they were investing in their future when they trusted their money with Drive Planning LLC.

“Everything sounded great,” said Patrick. “I thought I was going to get a 10% return every 90 days. That sounds great to me! “

Instead, they’ve likely lost $250,000.

“It is still shocking, but we kind of felt like something was going on,” said Patrick. “I feel like as things were progressing with Drive, and seeing some of the events they were hosting and the trips they were taking, we started questioning what was going on. It didn’t seem right.”

The couple says Drive Planning LLC provided statements that appeared their investments were making money.

Looking back, the statements did not seem official.

“Not everything is as good as it sounds,” said Patrick. “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

The couple says they were promised their money would grow, and they’re not alone.

“Todd Burkhalter built a massive Ponzi scheme on lies, exploiting trust to steal hundreds of millions of dollars from more than 2,000 victims while funding an extravagant lifestyle,” said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI will continue to aggressively pursue those who weaponize fraud and deception against investors, and we are committed to holding them fully accountable and seeking justice for every victim harmed.”

As part of a plea agreement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has agreed to recommend a 17.5 year prison sentence for Burkhalter.

David Bradford, the former Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Drive Planning, was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud arising from a multi-year Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors out of millions of dollars.

He pleaded guilty on December 16 and will be sentenced in Georgia on March 17 at 11 a.m.

The FBI in Atlanta has been investigating for more than a year, and the agency confirmed to WRTV Investigates that it is still investigating.

“Justice is served in this latest reminder of the significant impact white collar crime continues to have on everyday Americans,” said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI is aggressively pursuing fraud and will continue to ensure crime does not pay in the end. If you steal from others, you are gambling with your freedom.”

WRTV Investigates contacted attorneys listed for Bradford and Burkhalter, and we are waiting to hear back.

No criminal charges have been filed against Gerardo “Gerry” Linarducci, an Indianapolis man who worked as a Managing Partner for Drive Planning.

The FBI urges anyone who believes they were a victim of Drive Planning or has information about it to go to this website and provide information.

“Drive Planning guaranteed investors a return of 10% every six months or a 22% return per year for up to three years,” according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Georgia.

In a separate civil action, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged Linarducci with securities fraud—specifically violations of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

As part of the same action, the SEC also charged David J. Bradford, former Chief Operating Officer of Drive Planning.

According to the complaint, Bradford and Linarducci personally raised more than $35 million and $13 million in investor funds, respectively, and Bradford’s and Linarducci’s sales teams raised more than $100 million and $30 million, respectively, by selling Real Estate Acceleration Loans investments.

The complaint alleges that Bradford and Linarducci played key roles in fueling the fraudulent scheme, telling investors, falsely, that the promised 10% rate of return was guaranteed; that investors held an interest in underlying collateral as part of their investment; that Drive Planning partnered with real estate developers in profit-sharing agreements; and that profits from those partnerships funded the promised return to REAL investors.

Bradford and Linarducci received millions of dollars in compensation in connection with such sales, according to the SEC.

WRTV Investigates attempted to contact Linarducci for comment, and we have not yet heard back.

The SEC seeks permanent injunctions, disgorgement with prejudgment interest, and civil penalties against Bradford and Linarducci.

In June 2025, Linarducci filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, a type of bankruptcy that allows an individual to reorganize their debts and pay them off over time.

Linarducci’s bankruptcy filing lists dozens of creditors, including investors from Indiana, like Rachael Williamson of Batesville and Patrick McLoughlin of Noblesville.

“The Receiver will hold all funds collected and the proceeds of the sale of physical assets in a distribution fund for the benefit of Drive Planning, LLC’s investors and creditors to be distributed at a later date,” according to its website.

WRTV has also contacted Linarducci’s bankruptcy attorney, and we are still waiting to hear back.

In March 2025, Linarducci launched Eye Can Coaching, LLC, a professional speaking and coaching business.

In April 2025, the SEC reached a partial settlement with Burkhalter in which Burkhalter is prohibited from acting as an officer or director of any company registered with the SEC.

In September 2024, Rachael Williamson filed a class action lawsuit that alleges Linarducci encouraged “countless” people to invest in Drive Planning and caused them to lose “large sums of money.”

Linarducci provided potential investors with Drive Planning promotional materials that touted a “10% return” and “$20,000 minimum” to invest, according to the lawsuit.

The class action complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, also names two of Linarducci’s Indiana firms— Integrity Wealth Partners and Ducci Enterprise LLC.

A court has ruled that the class action lawsuit can proceed against Integrity Wealth Partners LLC and Ducci Enterprise LLC.

Linarducci used those companies to solicit Drive Planning investments, according to the class action lawsuit.

Because of Linarducci’s bankruptcy filing, the class action lawsuit cannot move forward against Linarducci as an individual.

The class action complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, also names two of Linarducci’s Indiana firms— Integrity Wealth Partners and Ducci Enterprise LLC.

A court has ruled that the class action lawsuit can proceed against Integrity Wealth Partners LLC and Ducci Enterprise LLC.

Linarducci used those companies to solicit Drive Planning investments, according to the class action lawsuit.

Drive Planning’s Fishers office was located in a co-working space at 8100 E 106th Street.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Brian Maass

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    DENVER (KCNC) — The 38-year-old Aurora man jailed for investigation of arson for allegedly setting a five-alarm fire in Denver in early January “sees and hears things … he has a mental condition,” according to his sister. Tony Becerra’s sibling was quoted by Aurora police in a 2020 police report obtained by CBS News.

In another arrest report from Denver in 2025, Becerra was sent to an area hospital due to what first responders called “psych issues he was exhibiting.”

The Denver Fire Department announced that Becerra was arrested on Jan. 13 for the fire that destroyed the Harker Heights apartment complex, which was under construction. The blaze started on Jan. 2 and it took days to fully extinguish the flames. Fire investigators have not revealed publicly what they believe a motive might have been for the suspected arson.

But police documents connected to two previous arrests for Becerra indicate suspected mental issues, and also raise questions about whether Becerra was homeless.

Following his arrest, the Denver Fire Department said an initial 911 call about the fire “inaccurately described (Becerra) as experiencing homelessness.”

But in February of 2025, Becerra was arrested for suspected shoplifting from a grocery store in southeast Denver. On the citation obtained by CBS, police characterized Becerra as “transient” and provided no home address for Becerra. The report says when Becerra was in the store, he was noticed “due to erratic behaviors.” The report notes Becerra was transported to a nearby hospital “due to psych issues he was exhibiting.”

In 2020, Aurora police arrested Becerra for assault. In the course of the police investigation, they spoke to Becerra’s sister, who told officers her brother was “having erratic behavior and frequent sudden mood changes. She advised that he sees and hears things and that she believes he has a mental condition,” according to the police document.

The Aurora police document goes on to note that “Tony does not have a phone number and is believed to be staying in downtown Denver in a homeless camp to get drugs.”

Becerra’s sister also told officers, “Tony does not want to go back to jail and that he is not going to stop until police kill him.”

Another Aurora police document from 2016 said “Becerra is documented as a … gang member … used the street names ‘Skitzo,’ ‘Psycho,’ ‘G-load’ and ‘GKI.'”

Becerra is being held in the Denver jail. On Tuesday, the Denver District Attorney’s office filed a motion seeking more time to file charges in the case. According to that motion, Denver prosecutors are “conferring with the United States attorney regarding federal adoption of charges.”

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Joe Holden, Tom Gardiner

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    LOWER MERION, Pennsylvania (KYW) — Dan Gilbert says he’s staying strong and putting on a brave face. It’s been tough.

The Lower Merion Township detective got bad news last April. His wife, Lauren Gilbert, at 42, was diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer. She first went to the hospital for stomach pain.

“They took a 12-inch section of her colon, took out a very large tumor and took out some other cancer that had spread,” Dan Gilbert said. “It’s not good. It’s terminal.”

Gilbert, a father to two children ages 4 and 5, has worked in Lower Merion for nine years. When his co-workers heard about Lauren, they wanted him to have the time to spend at home. Each officer was able to donate up to 12 hours.

“We quickly put a process together, and it’s great that it has worked out to help Dan,” Ernie McNeely, Lower Merion Township’s manager, said. “It’s so critical to do something when folks are in need, and that’s what we were happy to be able to do here.”

“We sat down and worked out this program for Dan so additional time from officers could be donated to him so he could spend time with Lauren when needed,” Superintendent of Police Andy Block said.

Sgt. John Iushewitz is the department’s FOP president. He said the idea of donating time came from his 11-year-old son after they watched a video about the value of time over money.

“My idea was, we can donate as much money as we can, but we can never get back time, so in looking at that, I was like, what can we do?” Iushewitz said.

Lauren has taken to writing. That includes a child-appropriate book about cancer. She’s also bought greeting cards for life’s big events she may not be around for.

“Future dates like weddings, college and high school graduation and she began writing notes to them that I could deliver to them in those times,” Dan said.

Lauren has had surgeries and is on trial medications. The costs are a financial burden.

The department’s generosity amounted to 800 hours of donated time off. That’s five months for Dan, Lauren and their children.

“My colleagues are the best,” he said. “The only thing they care about is my family’s well-being during this time.”

“I work with the best,” Iushewitz said. “When I knew it was time to help one of their own, I knew the answer would be yes.”

There was a benefit event scheduled for Sunday. They expected 400 people to come out and support the Gilbert family. But because of the forecast, it will most likely be rescheduled.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Jonathan Walsh

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    CANTON, Ohio (WEWS) — A problematic nursing home in Canton that Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said put residents in danger will have all patients out by this weekend. That detail was revealed during a hearing in Stark County today concerning the House of Loreto.

The total number of residents was 29 by early January, and now all but 4 of them are out of the nursing home

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) called the violations of care at the House of Loreto “egregious” and the home “lacked proper staffing and oversight.”

ODH said it has had a transition team there in Canton since Jan. 13.

“In order to ensure the patients that remain there are getting appropriate care and to assure that all of the patients get transferred safely to other facilities,” said Ohio Director of Health Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff. “The last thing we want to do is move someone precipitously because we know that can actually cause more harm than good.”

ODH said it’s been working with residents’ families, the Department of Aging, the surrounding nursing homes that are taking in the residents and the owners of the House of Loreto.

News 5 Investigators tried once again to get the nursing home’s side of the story, but were told over and over it has no comment.

The shutdown all started a little more than a week ago. Yost filed an injunction wanting to shut down the home. It was granted by Magistrate Kristen Moore this morning.

It’s based on a Jan. 2 ODH inspection report that said a dozen patients were in “real and present danger” because of several factors like wound care, fall management and prevention, medication administration and more that resulted in actual harm to residents. “(The) Ohio Department of Health is going to remain onsite, on the ground until each and every one of those patients is safely moved,” said Vanderhoff.

We asked for an on-camera interview with Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost or his office, but were referred to the ODH.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Jacquelyn Quinones

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    SAN JOSE, California (KSBW) — A high-speed chase in San Jose ended with police shooting and killing a suspect after he stole multiple vehicles and engaged in a shootout that left a police sergeant seriously injured but expected to survive.

San Jose police said the incident began just after 2 p.m. near 900 Capitol Expressway when an armed suspect entered a car dealership, stole a green Corvette, and fled down Highway 101.

Helicopters assisted in tracking the suspect’s vehicle as police pursued him south to Hollister, where he was cornered near Buena Vista Road and Westside Boulevard. Witnesses described the scene as something out of a video game.

“First of all, I heard it was like 2 o’clock when I heard the chopper over town saying ‘put the weapon down, put the weapon down,’ and so I run to my backyard,” a witness, Jhobany Jacobo, said. “I was like, well, that looks interesting because that’s not something you see often here in town.

“As he kept going, he kept jumping fences, so I saw this man climb over the fence and jumped over like nothing straight out of a GTA game, bro,” Jacobo continued.

The suspect then stole another vehicle, a white sedan, and headed back to San Jose with police in pursuit.

According to police, “That suspect collided with a vehicle where the suspect then exited the vehicle, engaged officers and gunfire, prompting an officer-involved shooting.

The suspect attempted to flee, attempted to carjack another vehicle when they were struck by a police vehicle. That suspect was declared deceased at the scene.”

San Jose police have blocked off the area around North San Pedro Street and St. James Street as they continue their investigation.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Jenna DeAngelis

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    NEW YORK (WCBS) — A Long Island woman has been charged after officials say more than 100 cats were rescued from deplorable conditions at her West Islip home.

The Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals called several animal rescue groups for assistance Tuesday after receiving an anonymous tip.

When the groups arrived at the Patricia Avenue home, they found about 100 cats inside the house and in a backyard structure.

“Everywhere you looked, there was just cats,” said Renee Kraft, founder of Save a Stray Rescue. “The smell hits you first before you even get into the house. It was gross.”

“The conditions were absolutely horrific. They were living in their own feces,” said Frankie Floridia, with Strong Island Animal Rescue League. “Just absolute filth.”

“You just seen all these animals, and they were just crying, coming up, like begging us to take them,” said Doreen Simonson, with Last Hope Animal Rescue. “It was like they knew, you know, that here’s help, it’s on the way.”

“This is a horrible situation, and I’m glad that these cats will get a second chance on life,” Floridia said. “And we’ll keep on rescuing on, to keep these animals safe and in good hands.”

Last Hope Animal Rescue is now caring for 32 of the cats.

“Right now, we’re just trying to make them all comfortable to let them know they’re safe,” Simonson said.

Paws Unite People, a rehabilitation facility, took in 22 cats. Eight are currently at its facility, and the rest are in foster care. Save a Stray Rescue currently has six kittens from the home, and North Fork Country Kids Animal Rescue took 11 cats, which volunteers are fostering.

The rescue groups said some of the cats have health problems – like respiratory infections, skin and eye conditions, fleas and matting – so the next step is for each cat to see a vet. Once they have been checked out, they should be up for adoption within the next few weeks.

“They will have a happy ending,” Simonson said.

The SPCA said the conditions inside the home were the result of a breeding operation.

“Ultimately, we need to educate people why it’s important to rescue from small rescues and shelters,” said Virginia Scudder, with the North Fork Country Kids Animal Rescue. “When we support breeders like this, we’re basically giving them the OK to continue this.”

A neighbor told CBS News New York he had no idea what was happening inside the home.

“Happy someone actually did something about it, that it’s no longer here,” he said.

Grace Etzelsberger, 66, has been charged with animal neglect, and the house has been condemned.

Officials said Etzelsberger also goes by the name Grace Rovtar, and they’re looking into if she was licensed to breed the cats. She’s due in court in February.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.