Buying your own home is the American dream, and the City of Lima is working to make that dream come true for residents. The city is hosting a couple of upcoming workshops. One with NACA, the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America, and another with the city regarding their first home loan down payment assistance program. City officials say it's important that people understand what assistance is available to them.

September 13, 2024, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Commerce: COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Securities is warning Ohioans about an increased risk of affinity fraud and the significant financial impact it can have on victims. Affinity fraud scams exploit the trust and friendship that exist within groups of people who share common interests in order to exploit vulnerable investors. Often times, affinity fraud victims are targeted through their religious affiliation, and fraudsters may even enlist respected leaders within the group to unknowingly promote fraudulent investment opportunities. According to the North American Securities Administrators Association, last year, states across the country received 2,761 reports of such financial exploitation, which was nearly a 100% increase from the previous year.

Dozens of property owners are coming out to dispute their new tentative valuation amount with the Allen County Auditor's Office. Informal hearings with the auditor's office started today and continue on Wednesday. Every three years, the state requires that property values be re-evaluated. The amount is determined by what properties around you are going for on the open market. You do have the chance to dispute your new valuation, and you need to bring documentation to back up your case.

A Mercer County man was arrested yesterday after defrauding Ohioans out of over a million dollars. Between 2019 and 2021, Christopher T. Wendel allegedly solicited 1.2 million in investments in his company Buckeye Income Fund LLC. Ten people, some of whom were elderly, were misled into sending money. Back in 2019, the Ohio Division of Securities issued a cease and desist to Wendel after finding that he was selling unlicensed securities. He faces 96 charges ranging from fifth to first-degree felonies, including securities fraud, theft, and telecommunications fraud. Wendel is being held at the Mercer County Jail waiting for his arraignment and bond hearing.

July 17, 2024, Press Release from the Office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost: (TOLEDO, Ohio) — Managers of a Lucas County investment firm accused of deceiving and defrauding investors in a decade-long scheme have been reindicted on multiple felonies as part of multi-year investigation and prosecution, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today. The indictments, filed in Common Pleas Court in Lucas and Hamilton counties, charge the seven financial managers with cheating at least 200 clients out of more than $72 million. The case centers on Northwest Capital, a Toledo investment firm that serves as an intermediary between investors and businesses raising capital by selling accounts receivables. Prosecutors allege that from January 2011 to December 2021 the defendants solicited clients to buy alternative investments from securities issuers without fully disclosing the managers’ conflicts of interest. The defendants also manipulated funds among interrelated entities to make the investments appear successful. To continue raising additional capital from investors, the Northwest Capital managers and their business associates created new, affiliated entities for investment without disclosing to existing investors the poor financial condition of these companies and the monitoring fees skimmed by the defendants. They then certified false investment values, which were shared in annual statements issued to investors.