Court Order Bars W.n.y. Man From Investment And Telemarketing Businesses

>Attorney General Spitzer today announced that his office has obtained a court order barring a Western New York man from the telemarketing and investment industry in New York State.

Between December 2002 and July 2003, Jeffrey Lusthaus and Anthony Milano operated Sure Ventures FX Group, which solicited clients for foreign currency trading. Spitzer's investigation revealed that 11 individuals gave Sure Ventures $61,000; however no investments were made.

Lusthaus has paid $61,000 to the Attorney General's Office, which will be distributed to the investors so that they will receive full restitution. He has also paid $2,000 in costs to the state. In addition, the court order permanently bars Lusthaus from selling or being associated with any company that sells any kind of investment, and from telemarketing any product or service.

"Providing restitution to the injured investors is the paramount concern in this case," Spitzer said.

Spitzer's office continues to investigate Anthony Milano.

Investors should be wary of unsolicited phone calls touting high-return investments, and should deal with established companies. Individuals wishing to file complaints about or report investment scams are encouraged to contact the Attorney General's consumer help line at (800) 771-7755.

This case is being handled by Assistant Attorney General Dennis Rosen and Senior Investigator Peter Eiss of the Attorney General's Buffalo Regional Office.