NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Annelise Grygiel
annelise.grygiel@state.co.us
Denver — May 23, 2024 — On Monday, Daniel Todd Levine, 53, of Castle Rock, Colorado, was sentenced to six years in prison with three years of parole in Denver District Court. Levine pleaded guilty to one count of securities fraud on March 1, 2024, and must also pay $985,000 in restitution.
Levine was originally indicted on April 6, 2023, on eight counts of securities fraud and 11 counts of forgery of check or commercial instruments. An arrest warrant was issued from the Denver District Court and Levine was arrested by Littleton law enforcement on April 12, 2023.
The indictment alleged that Levine made material misstatements and omissions when soliciting multiple investors to invest in Annaly Capital Management, Real Properties, Elevate, and Zephyr (and/or Zephyr’s associated business entities). For example, Levine failed to use proceeds as promised and instead used them for personal purposes like gambling debts, automobile payments and direct payments to his wife. The indictment also alleged that Levine repeatedly attempted to obtain loans in a victim’s name and applied for loans in the victim’s name without the victim’s permission.
The Colorado Division of Securities investigated this matter, and the Colorado Attorney General’s Criminal Justice/Financial Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
This is not Levine’s first run in with the law related to securities investments. In March 2019, the Colorado Division of Securities alleged that Levine ran a Bitcoin scheme and entered into a consent order that revoked his securities licenses and barred him from reapplying. He is also barred by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from acting as a broker or investment adviser or otherwise associating with firms that sell securities or provide investment advice to the public. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has also barred Levine.
About DORA and the Division of Securities
DORA is the state's umbrella regulatory agency, charged with managing licensing and registration for multiple professions and businesses, implementing balanced regulation for Colorado industries and protecting consumers. Our nearly 600 employees are dedicated to preserving the integrity of the marketplace and promoting a fair and competitive business environment throughout Colorado.
The Division of Securities exists to protect investors and maintain confidence in the securities market, while avoiding unreasonable burdens on the marketplace by licensing securities professionals, enforcing securities law violations and helping Coloradans become more informed investors. Visit securities.colorado.gov to learn more.