Central Iowa Insurance Agent Convicted of Defrauding Clients

DES MOINES, IA – On August 9, 2018, following a four-day trial, a jury found Roger Duane Goodwin, age 59, of Windsor Heights, guilty of seven counts of mail fraud announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. The jury also determined Goodwin’s residence in Windsor Heights and two Harley Davidson motorcycles are subject to forfeiture

During trial, the government presented evidence Goodwin owned and operated “Goodwin Network of Advisors, Inc.” which was also referred to as “Goodwin Network”, “GN of A”, and “GNA Corp.” and sold life insurance and annuities to individuals in the Des Moines and Houston, Texas areas. From February 2013 through August 2016, Goodwin advised several of his clients to surrender or cash out existing investments—totaling over $1 million—in order to use those funds to purchase insurance products from him. Instead of purchasing insurance policies or annuity contracts for the clients as promised, Goodwin deposited the clients’ checks into a bank account associated with Goodwin Network of Advisors – which only Goodwin and his spouse could access.

“The evidence showed the defendant preyed on older and vulnerable victims, and he used their hard-earned savings to line his own pockets and fund his lavish lifestyle,” said United States Attorney Krickbaum. “Those like Goodwin who prey upon older individuals should know that we will hold them accountable.”

Goodwin kept all or large portions of the funds and used the money for unauthorized purposes that were not for the benefit of the affected clients. Goodwin used his clients’ money, unbeknownst to them, for his personal expenses including paying his mortgage, making vehicle payments, remodeling his residence, and other lavish personal expenditures. He also used client funds to repay other clients of Goodwin’s and to make payments to the insurance companies for the benefit of clients whose money Goodwin had failed to earlier send to the insurance company.

Mail fraud is punishable by a maximum prison term of twenty years and a maximum fine of $250,000 for each count. Sentencing is scheduled for December 19, 2018, at 11:00 a.m., before United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.