An investment advisor from California faces charges in federal court for allegedly defrauding a client in suburban Chicago out of approximately $500,000. Jordan Roman, aged 47 and residing in Rancho Park, is accused of wire fraud according to a criminal information filed on Wednesday in the U.S. District Court in Chicago. If convicted, Roman could face up to 20 years in federal prison. The date for his arraignment has not been set.
The allegations against Roman detail that he operated the Illinois-based Drumstick Timpani Fund L.P., which he used to solicit funds from clients. Between 2012 and 2024, Roman is accused of obtaining money from an investor by misrepresenting how the investment would be used and falsely claiming the performance and value of the investment. It is further alleged that Roman assured the victim that their money would be invested on their behalf while knowing some funds would be diverted for his personal expenses, including utility and credit card bills.
To cover up his actions, Roman reportedly produced fake account statements and tax forms that exaggerated the value of the victim’s investment.
The announcement was made by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, alongside Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI’s Chicago Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared Hasten and Paige Nutini.
It is important to note that an information is not proof of guilt; Roman remains presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
