The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) today arrested Mark Brivik, 55, of Orlando, Fla., and Marie Brivik, 53, of Sarasota, Fla., on charges related to an organized scheme to defraud.
The investigation began in 2007 after FDLE received allegations that Mark Brivik, managing member of River Meadows Development, LLC, had fraudulently solicited investments in a real estate project in Manatee County, Fla. The investigation revealed that between 2005 and 2007 Mark Brivik defrauded seven investors out of more than $4.1 million by convincing them that an “option to purchase” was available on a parcel of land. This option did not exist.
Mark and his wife, Marie, also solicited and received approximately $300,000 for a partial share ownership in a residence located in Sarasota County, Fla. The residence ultimately went into foreclosure.
Mark Brivik was charged with two counts of organized scheme to defraud, a first-degree felony, seven counts of fraudulent transactions/omission of fact, a first-degree felony, seven counts of sale of unregistered security, a third-degree felony, and seven counts of sale of security by unregistered issuer, a third-degree felony.
Marie Brivik was charged with one count of organized scheme to defraud, a first-degree felony, one count of fraudulent transactions/omission of fact, a first-degree felony, one count of sale of unregistered security, a third-degree felony, and one count of sale of security by unregistered issuer, a third-degree felony. Mark Brivik is also wanted in South Africa on fraud and theft charges.
Mark and Marie Brivik were booked into the Sarasota County Jail.
