NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
March 7, 2008
Contact: Michele Nicholson
Public Information Officer
(850) 651-7420
SPORTS BROADCASTER FACES INVESTMENT FRAUD CHARGES
Scott McKinney
A Santa Rosa Beach sports talk radio host was arrested
today (Friday) on six counts of committing investment fraud by selling
investment opportunities in several of his companies.
42-year old Charles Scott McKinney of 24 Seaward
Drive in Santa Rosa Beach is also charged with theft and racketeering. His
arrest is the result of a joint investigation between the Okaloosa County
Sheriff’s Office and Bureau of Financial Investigations with the Florida Office
of Financial Regulation.
Investigators say between July 2005 and December 2006, McKinney used his
professional status as a sports talk radio host associated with Southern Sports
Tonight to gain access to, and the trust of, local investors. They say he issued
them Membership Stock Certificates, provided Partnership Agreements, and
Business Prospectuses. By providing false and misleading information and as a
result of his actions, McKinney obtained nearly $140,000.
Investigators say a financial analysis indicates
McKinney used the funds for personal use, rather than to promote and/or equip
the companies; Southern Sports Tonight, LLC, Barking Dog Media, LLC, and/or
Southeastern Broadcasting, LLC. In addition, he failed to inform new investors
of additional investors and/or partners.
Anyone who has any further information is asked to
contact the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division at
850-609-2000.
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