RICHARD BERNSTEIN of Mars Venus Coaching Charged with Theft & Fraud
Unhappy Franchisee – Richard Bernstein, self-professed executive and life coach and CEO of the Mars Venus Coaching franchise company, faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and fine of $500,000 on charges of theft and securities fraud.
The Las Vegas state attorney general’s office alleges that Richard Bernstein swindled a couple out of $250,000 after they hired him to help invest the profits from the sale of their home.
Bernstein convinced the couple to invest in a new business venture, Turn-Key Financial Group, with him. Richard Bernstein promised to match the couple’s investment, and to use their invested dollars for legitimate business expenses.
According to AG Catherine Cortez Masto’s office, Bernstein blew $125,000 of the couple’s money to buy he and his wife luxury Bentley and BMW automobiles.
Richard Bernstein was to appear today in Las Vegas Justice Court this week. He is charged with one count of theft and one count of securities fraud, both category B felonies.
Richard Bernstein: success coach, life coach and convicted fraudster
Up until this afternoon, the “Meet the Team” section of the Mars Venus Coaching franchise website listed Richard Bernstein as chief Operating Officer, and hyped Mr. Bernstein’s qualifications as a success coach:
Rich’s background encompasses a wealth of business and coaching experience spanning over 25 years… His background in business management makes Rich uniquely qualified to help business owners learn important strategies that can help them succeed.
Not surprisingly, the site left out Bernstein’s criminal record which, according to the Las Vegas Sun, includes a conviction for credit card fraud. Richard Bernstein also has “numerous civil judgments for breach of contract [and] two Internal Revenue Service liens totaling more than $200,000 in unpaid taxes that have been recorded against him.”
Richard Bernstein’s title, bio and picture disappeared from the Mars Venus Coaching franchise website sometime during the writing of this post. We have contacted Mars Venus Coaching to ask if Richard Bernstein is no longer affiliated with John Gray or the Mars Venus organization.
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Mars Venus Coaching
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) – Apr 27, 2011 – Mars Venus Coaching, a global coaching organization, has announced that its President and CEO, Richard Bernstein, will be stepping down to address legal charges that have been filed against him by the Nevada Attorney General’s office.
The charges relate to his involvement with the unfolding of a business venture that dates back to 2007 and well before Mr. Bernstein’s association with John Gray, Ph.D. and the Mars Venus Coaching organization. The Mars Venus Coaching organization has not been named by the Attorney General’s Office. Mr. Bernstein has denied any wrongdoing.
Dr. Gray, the founder of the Mars Venus phenomenon and the Mars Venus Coaching organization, has expressed his full support for Mr. Bernstein. “We have a high degree of respect, love and caring for Rich as a coach, mentor and friend. We wish Rich and his family the best during these difficult times. Our sincere hope and expectation is that Rich is exonerated from these charges and can return to lead Mars Venus Coaching as soon as possible” said Dr. Gray.
“We are confident that once the truth comes out, the charges will be dismissed in their entirety,” says Dheeraj K. Singhal, a Mars Venus Success Coach and California-based litigation attorney. “Rich has been the unfortunate victim of his former business partners, who by misrepresenting information, have persuaded the Attorney General’s office to take up a matter that should be handled in civil courts, if anywhere.”
Mars Venus Coaching is actively searching for an interim management team to run the day-to-day operations. While Mr. Bernstein takes time to address his legal issues, he will continue to provide support to existing coaches and the new management team, which is expected to be announced shortly.
All questions should be directed to Pam Lippitt, Corporate Spokesperson, pamlippitt@marsvenuscoaching.com.
Mars Venus Coaching is a global coaching company founded on the principles of best-selling author and speaker, Dr. John Gray. His 30 years of experience in the fields of psychology, relationships, communication, personal success, productivity in the workplace, wealth generation, and coaching systems have made this company a world leader in personal and professional coaching. Mars Venus coaches can be found around the world, including United States, Central America, Europe, the Middle East, India, China, and Australia.
you can view the press release on our site at: http://www.marsvenuscoaching.com/about/medianews/
and also at prlog.com: http://www.prlog.org/11461218-mars-venus-coaching-global-president-and-ceo-is-stepping-down-to-resolve-legal-challenges.html
Below are the court minutes for the civil action filed against Richard Bernstein and several of the Mars Venus entities. Didn’t John Gray claim that Bernstein was gone just a couple months ago.
Minutes
09/26/2011 9:00 AM
– Court noted this matter was set originally for the status of a settlement. Court instructed Mr. Bernstein, the Entities require representation of Counsel and Mr. Bernstein can not represent the Entities. Upon Court’s inquiry, Mr. Bernstein noted his Counsel, Phillip Brown, whom represents him in his criminal case, will be representing him and his entities. Colloquy regarding previous set hearings, striking the answer, and setting a 16.1 Conference. Mr. Gibson noted if the restitution for $200,000.00 is paid in the criminal case, then this civil case could be dismissed, However Counsel was not sure Deft. could come up with the money. COURT ORDERED, Matter CONTINUED for this Court to review the previous hearings and Mr. Bernstein to appear with Counsel. At the request of Mr. Gibson, Court directed Counsel for Defendant’s to meet with Mr. Gibson prior to the next hearing. Court further noted this case must move forward, set for trial or be dismissed. Colloquy regarding scheduling a default and requesting attorney fees and costs and seeking punitive damages. 10/10/11 9:00 AM STATUS CHECK: COUNSEL FOR ENTITY DEFENDANT’S/RESET TRIAL (Courtroom 15D)
10/10/2011 9:00 AM
– Mr. Phillip Brown made a special appearance for Mr. Bernstein. Court stated if Mr. Brown is not confirming as counsel for the corporate entities he will dismiss the case. Mr. Brown stated he represents the Deft. in his criminal case and the Deft. understood once the restitution was paid the civil case would be taken care of. Mr. Brown stated he contacted Mr. Gibson and much progress has been made in achieving a global settlement agreement in the civil case. Mr. Brown explained his reasons for not confirming, advising his representation would cost the Deft and eat away at the settlement money. Mr. Gibson stated although they are making progress on a settlement agreement, he needs to make sure his client is protected and requested a default be entered but he won’t move to enter default judgment unless they cannot come to a settlement. Court admonished Mr. Brown, if he is not confirming as counsel for the corporations, the Court will strike their answers. Mr. Brown agreed to enter an appearance as to the entities. Colloquy regarding discovery, 16.1 Conference, interrogatories, sanctions, moving the case forward and trial setting. Court advised counsel to go before the Discovery Commissioner and have the case set for trial and ORDERED, matter set for a Status Check Court to see if case is settled or if it should go to a settlement conference. 11/14/11 9:00 AM STATUS CHECK
11/14/2011 9:00 AM
Bernstein was supposed to be sentenced on March 14, 2012. A condition of his plea agreement that Bernstein signed was to plead guilty to Security fraud and pay the victims back. Bernstein however was not able to come up with the $450,000.00 in restitution he stole from the victims in this case which was required for Bernstein to avoid jail time.
The Nevada Prosecutors have given Bernstein an extra 2 months continuing the sentencing till May 14, 2012 but have warned him pack your tooth brush for your going back to prison is the victims are not paid the money you stole. (This is Bernstein’s second felony conviction for he was previously convicted for identity theft and served time in terminal island some time ago).
As part of Bernstein’s plea agreement several orders have been put in place preventing him from taking money for any investment. His wife Valerie Carpenter Bernstein is also mentioned in the plea agreement in which if the money is not repaid to the victims that Nevada can also prosecute her as an accomplice.
Anyone who knows the Bernstein’s know they will never be able to maintain their lifestyle without ripping people off so based on the plea agreement it is just a matter of time before they both end up in prison where they belong.
Kudos to the Nevada prosecutors to get the victims paid but at the same time iron out a plea agreement which Bernstein will never be able to comply with which will eventually send him back to prison after the victims collect nearly a half million dollars.
FYI: Update on the Bernstein’s. Forced to make an honest living and report to a parole officer Rich Bernstein is still providing life and business coach mainly via the internet. His wife Valerie Carpenter Bernstein is working in the mall selling sunglasses for minimum wage.
You can also find Rich Bernstein’s name and his Mars Venus Coaching email address on the leaked Ashley Madison list.