Finberg denies charges in alleged Ponzi scheme

During an initial court appearance in Flathead County District court on Thursday, Catherine Ann “Cathy” Finberg of Columbia Falls denied the six charges brought against her by prosecutors in an alleged Ponzi scheme.

Finberg pleaded not guilty to felony theft by embezzlement, failure to register as a securities broker, failure to register securities, operating a Ponzi scheme, and two counts of fraudulent securities practices.

During the hearing, Finberg’s counsel, Peter Lackney, filed a waiver of conflict of interest in the case. The waiver states that Finberg is not concerned that the law firm has represented two relatives in unrelated matters, though the relatives are possible victims of the alleged scam.

At the appearance, Finberg spoke very little, only saying “yes ma’am” or “no” in response to Flathead District Court Judge Amy Eddy’s questions.

Finberg was booked immediately after the hearing.

A trial date was set for Feb. 27, 2017.

Finberg first came under investigation after Columbia Falls Police Department received a complaint of missing money from a disabled man in January. Columbia Falls Police turned the case over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation because people from outside the city were involved. Shortly after, an investigation from the Montana State Auditor’s Office began.

The state alleges that Finberg took investments from 28 people between 2008 and 2016, collecting $1.2 million. Additionally, approximately $300,000 was allegedly mismanaged for a disabled person under Finberg’s care.

The state claims Finberg was not properly registered as a securities broker-dealer. Investors never received tax documents or proper paperwork for the transactions, prosecutors also claim.