CHANDLER, Ariz. — The murder suspect accused of killing and dismembering 18-year-old Parker League last summer is now facing fraud charges for allegedly scamming investors in Arizona.
Anthonie Ruinard Jr., 39, of Chandler was recently indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly cheating 54 victims out of $5.4 million in an investment scheme.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Un sospechoso de asesinato en Chandler es acusado también de estafar millones de dólares a múltiples inversionistas
Court records show Ruinard allegedly claimed to be a successful investor worth over $400 million and convinced individuals to invest large sums of money through his business Legacy Investors Group Inc.. The contracts between Legacy and the investors guaranteed a 5% monthly return on their investment.
Federal officials say Ruinard kept most of the investments for himself and spent the money on expensive cars, casino gambling and rent payments.
In 2022, Legacy sent an email to investors asking them to be more patient about receiving the payouts on their investments.
"Not only do we give the best returns, but we also protect capital using a very strict guideline of investment strategies that Legacy has spent years perfecting," stated the email, which was signed by Ruinard.
The alleged fraud occurred between 2020 and March 2023, according to the indictment.
A few months later, Ruinard was tied to a violent crime that occurred in the Tonto National Forest. In June 2023, the remains of Parker League, a Nebraska resident who was visiting a friend in Arizona, were found in a bonfire pit.
Officials say Ruinard was spotted leaving a Chandler gas station with the deceased victim on June 11. The victim's blood was allegedly found in the suspect's trunk.
At the time of his arrest for League's murder in the summer of 2023, Ruinard's employer was listed as "Legacy Investor Group" in the arrest documents.
Ruinard's murder case is still pending in Maricopa County Superior Court. If convicted on the federal fraud charges, Ruinard could be facing several years in prison.
