Beverly Hills Man Scams $18 Million in Cannabis-Related Schemes

Mark Roy Anderson, a 69-year-old resident of Beverly Hills, admitted to defrauding investors of over $18 million through cannabis-related scams. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Anderson pleaded guilty to orchestrating schemes involving fake hemp farms, cannabis-infused retail products, and a sham bottling business.

Anderson, with multiple prior fraud convictions, carried out these schemes while under home confinement and supervised release for previous fraud convictions. In the first scheme spanning from June 2020 to April 2021, Anderson deceived investors into funding his company, Harvest Farm Group. He falsely claimed ownership of a Kern County farm, promising profits from hemp processing into CBD products.

During the second scheme from April 2021 to May 2023, Anderson misled investors about his companies, Bio Pharma and Verta Bottling, allegedly manufacturing and selling CBD-infused products. Fabricated documents and fake product samples were used to support his claims.

Rather than investing the funds as promised, Anderson spent lavishly on personal expenses, including real estate and luxury vehicles. In total, both schemes amassed over $18 million for Anderson.

Pleading guilty to two counts of wire fraud, Anderson faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison for each count. The case remains under investigation by the FBI, with a sentencing hearing scheduled for August 23rd.