Breard's client: 'I want her to explain to me where my money is!'
KIRKLAND, Wash. -- The state says the phone is ringing off the hook with clients who fear they've lost their life savings.
A day after a KOMO News investigation revealed police and state officials have launched investigations into Kirkland broker and financial adviser Rhonda Breard, potential victims are coming out of the woodwork.
Four different clients of Breard say they cannot account for their funds, a sum of millions, and they cannot find their broker.
"In my account I'm supposed top have around $500,000, which is my retirement fund," said one client named Belinda. "It's evaporated."
Belinda said she gave her money to Breard, who advertised herself as a broker whose goal was to educate the families she works with.
"She said that 'I want to be the Suzie Orman of Seattle," said Belinda of Breard.
Belinda had every reason to believe her money was secure. She received quarterly statements that indicated all her money was accounted for.
But when Breard abruptly shut down her office and stopped taking calls, Belinda got concerned.
"I want her to explain to me where my money is!" she said.
Belinda and Breard's other clients have only been able to reach a recording at Breard's office. The message told clients to call ING Financial Services, the broker dealer Breard used to run her transactions.
ING terminated its agreement with Breard the same day she disappeared. ING alleges Breard altered customers statements, according to state officials.
Three other clients told KOMO News similar stories. Two of them believe they received the wrong statement. The clients suspect the names may have been switched on the documents to make it seem as if their funds had been invested.
According to two clients, Breard lived a lavish lifestyle. Her three homes are valued at nearly $5 million. Clients say she has a collection of cars, designer handbags and shoes..
Clients like Belinda want Breard's assets frozen. But like so many other clients who lost their life savings, she has no money to hire an attorney to fight back.
"If all my money is gone, what attorney is going to help me?" said Belinda.
Three police departments have taken reports on the Breard case, and the state Department of Financial Institution is now investigating. Officials say clients who wrote checks directly to Breard or insurance companies seem to be having problems finding their money.
A day after a KOMO News investigation revealed police and state officials have launched investigations into Kirkland broker and financial adviser Rhonda Breard, potential victims are coming out of the woodwork.
Four different clients of Breard say they cannot account for their funds, a sum of millions, and they cannot find their broker.
"In my account I'm supposed top have around $500,000, which is my retirement fund," said one client named Belinda. "It's evaporated."
Belinda said she gave her money to Breard, who advertised herself as a broker whose goal was to educate the families she works with.
"She said that 'I want to be the Suzie Orman of Seattle," said Belinda of Breard.
Belinda had every reason to believe her money was secure. She received quarterly statements that indicated all her money was accounted for.
But when Breard abruptly shut down her office and stopped taking calls, Belinda got concerned.
"I want her to explain to me where my money is!" she said.
Belinda and Breard's other clients have only been able to reach a recording at Breard's office. The message told clients to call ING Financial Services, the broker dealer Breard used to run her transactions.
ING terminated its agreement with Breard the same day she disappeared. ING alleges Breard altered customers statements, according to state officials.
Three other clients told KOMO News similar stories. Two of them believe they received the wrong statement. The clients suspect the names may have been switched on the documents to make it seem as if their funds had been invested.
According to two clients, Breard lived a lavish lifestyle. Her three homes are valued at nearly $5 million. Clients say she has a collection of cars, designer handbags and shoes..
Clients like Belinda want Breard's assets frozen. But like so many other clients who lost their life savings, she has no money to hire an attorney to fight back.
"If all my money is gone, what attorney is going to help me?" said Belinda.
Three police departments have taken reports on the Breard case, and the state Department of Financial Institution is now investigating. Officials say clients who wrote checks directly to Breard or insurance companies seem to be having problems finding their money.