Clearwater man sentenced for “green sector” fraud
September 27, 2019 - A federal judge in Tampa sentenced Richard Buffington of Clearwater to 46 months in federal prison for committing wire fraud. The judge also ordered Buffington to forfeit more than $1.2 million traceable to the proceeds of the offense and to pay more than $1.2 million in restitution to the victims of his fraud scheme. Buffington, who pleaded guilty in April, was accused of making false and fraudulent representations about Green Street Equities and "green sector" companies, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida. About 28 investors bought unregistered, non-exempt securities and Buffington used the money raised for his personal benefit, the news release said.