Martin Pool

Full Report

Key Points

• Convicted federal felon for securities fraud and money laundering in a multimillion-dollar Ponzi-style investment scheme.
• Key operator of The Elva Group, LLC, which raised over $12 million from approximately 130 investors between 2006 and 2010.
• Targeted retirement accounts (IRAs) with false promises of high guaranteed returns from real-estate developments.
• Funds misappropriated for personal use, payments to earlier investors, and business expenses instead of legitimate investments.
• Sentenced to 78 months in federal prison; ordered to pay multimillion-dollar restitution (figures range $8–12 million across sources).
• Permanently barred by the SEC from participating in the securities industry.

Overview

Martin Pool, formerly of Atlanta, Georgia, was a co-manager and control person of The Elva Group, LLC, alongside Armand R. Franquelin. The entity presented itself as a real-estate investment vehicle, soliciting funds through promissory notes and encouraging investors to roll over retirement savings into self-directed IRAs via another affiliated company, Destiny Funding, LLC (also co-owned by Pool and Franquelin). They marketed the opportunity as a secure way to fund property developments, such as the Haven Estates project in Vernal, Utah, with advertised annual returns ranging from 10% to as high as 240%. In reality, the operation functioned as a classic Ponzi scheme, relying on new investor money to pay artificial returns and cover costs while most funds were diverted elsewhere.

Allegations and Concerns

The primary allegations center on deliberate fraud: Pool and his partner misrepresented how investor money would be used, falsely claimed guaranteed high returns, and sold unregistered securities while acting as unregistered broker-dealers. Funds were not invested in real-estate projects as promised; instead, they were misappropriated for personal enrichment (including luxury spending), to make Ponzi-style “interest” payments to earlier participants, and to sustain the appearance of a legitimate business. The scheme collapsed around 2010 when new inflows ceased, exposing the lack of underlying assets or profitable developments. Federal authorities classified the conduct as egregious due to the targeting of retirement savings, which inflicted compounded harm through tax penalties and lost long-term growth.

Customer Feedback No independent consumer reviews, ratings, or public testimonials exist on platforms such as review sites, forums, or social media for Martin Pool or The Elva Group. The scheme predates widespread online review culture for such investments, and its resolution came through criminal and regulatory enforcement rather than scattered individual complaints. Victim experiences are documented only through official case filings: investors reported being lured by promises of safety and high yields, only to suffer total or near-total losses after the fraud surfaced. No positive feedback has surfaced in any context; the record reflects uniform harm among participants.

Risk Considerations

Financial risk is extreme: any association could lead to loss of capital if Pool were involved in new ventures, given his history of misappropriation. Reputational risk is severe—linking to a convicted securities fraudster invites scrutiny from compliance teams, financial institutions, and regulators. Legal risk includes potential aiding-and-abetting exposure or civil claims from prior victims if new activity is perceived as continuation or concealment. The permanent SEC bar makes any securities-related involvement unlawful, amplifying liability for anyone facilitating or partnering with him.

Business Relations and Associations

Pool’s primary documented association was with Armand R. Franquelin (co-defendant and co-manager of The Elva Group and Destiny Funding, LLC), who faced similar charges and sentencing. Judith E. Franquelin (Armand’s wife) was named as a relief defendant in the SEC action, having received nearly $400,000 from scheme proceeds. No other ongoing partnerships, affiliates, or networks appear in records. The Elva Group and Destiny Funding are defunct; no current businesses or legitimate professional ties are linked to Pool post-conviction.

Legal and Financial Concerns

Pool pleaded guilty to securities fraud and money laundering in U.S. District Court for the District of Utah. He received a 78-month federal prison sentence (served) plus three years supervised release. Restitution orders vary slightly in reports but center in the $8–12 million range to compensate victims. In the parallel SEC civil case, he consented to a final judgment with a permanent injunction against future securities law violations, plus disgorgement of approximately $970,510 plus prejudgment interest (waived due to inability to pay) and no civil penalty. No bankruptcy filings or additional unpaid debts beyond the restitution obligation are noted in connection with this matter.

Risk Assessment Table

Martin Pool’s record is unequivocally negative: a federally convicted fraudster who orchestrated a large-scale scheme that devastated retirement savings through calculated lies and theft. Pros are nonexistent in any legitimate context—there is no evidence of reformed or lawful activity. Cons dominate: irreversible criminal history, lifetime industry exclusion, multimillion-dollar victim harm, and a clear predatory pattern targeting vulnerable investors. Cautionary advice is absolute: avoid all contact, business dealings, or financial involvement. His background renders him toxic for investments, partnerships, or advisory roles. Due diligence must include cross-checking against federal records; any solicitation resembling past tactics should be reported immediately to authorities. Engaging with him risks repeating the documented devastation inflicted on over 130 victims.