LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A Swiss executive is pleading guilty to participating in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme, that had co-conspirators here in Las Vegas.
Court documents say 67-year-old Marton Schlaepfer, a Swiss national, acted as CEO of a purported Swiss investment company, to sell fake investment deals and cash loans to victims.
Beginning as early as 2009, Schlaepfer and co-conspirators in Switzerland and Las Vegas are accused of defrauding victims of roughly $6 million dollars in the scheme.
Schlaepfer was indicted in December 2013, arrested in Italy in September 2024 on an Interpol Red Notice, and extradited to the United States in July 2025 to face charges in Nevada.
Three co‑conspirators — Anthony Brandel, James Warras and Sean Finn — were convicted at trials in 2015 and 2020 of conspiracy, wire fraud and securities fraud. Each were sentenced to 87 months in prison. Another defendant, Joseph Micelli, pleaded guilty in 2015 and received a 60‑month sentence. A fifth alleged participant, Hans‑Jurg Lips, remains at large. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
Schlaepfer pleaded guilty to securities fraud and is scheduled for sentencing June 9. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
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