Power Breakfast: Ponzi schemes and religion, Delta pilots

Ponzi schemers often rely on some connection with their victims to ply their trade. And religion seems to be a popular one.

Bernie Madoff targeted Jews. Now, comes word that a Peachtree City company sought out Christians.

Eldon A. Gresham has been charged with running a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, AJC reporter Larry Hartstein writes.

Starting in 2004, the agency said, he solicited more than $15 million by promising high returns. He said he was offering his program to “a limited number of Christians for a limited time,” the agency said.

But at most, according to the commission, Gresham deposited just over $2 million.

It’s important for investors to be careful with their money, especially in times like these. Experts constantly advise consumers to put personal feelings aside when investing.

Experts also deliver one other key message before investors should consider parting with any money: DO YOUR HOMEWORK.

Also in the AJC:

• 215 Delta pilots take buyout offers
• Metro Atlanta office vacancy rate climbs
• Georgia Power ranks high in customer satisfaction
  
• Former Wachovia employee sentenced for embezzlement

In other media:

• Budget watchdog delivers blow to health reform plan
  
• CIT still fighting to stay out of bankruptcy
• Lawmakers frustrated with foreclosure aid programs
• Two giants emerge from Wall Street ruins