Kirk Sean Wright

On February 27th, 2006, the SEC filed a complaint against Kirk S. Wright, the then 35-year old founder and CEO of Atlanta-based hedge fund company, International Management Associates LLC, ("IMA") and seven of its funds. Wright founded IMA in 1996, ultimately, had attracted a number of high profile investors, including a number of individuals associated with the National Football League. The complaint charged that false and misleading statements were made and that some $155 million in investor funds were missing. On March 29, 2006, Wright was charged criminally with mail fraud and an arrest warrant was issued by the FBI. Wright was arrested on May 17th in Miami Beach after fleeing authorities and being on the run for 6 weeks. When he was caught, he was using a false identity, "Mark Lakean," driving a Mercedes Benz and had $28,000 in cash in his possession. A federal judge ordered that he make some $20 million in restitution and held without bail since his arrest. On May 21, 2008, Wright was convicted of all 47 counts of fraud, including mail fraud, securities fraud and money laundering. Sadly, Wright committed suicide in Union City jail in Georgia three days later. He was 37 years old.