Local Broker Pleads Guilty To Wire Fraud

A Westerville stock broker charged in 1.3 million dollar investment fraud scheme has pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. 42-year-old Mark French allegedly advised an elderly Pennsylvania client in 2009 to open checking and savings accounts with him so he could buy and sell precious metals on her behalf while working for Investors Security Company. Authorities say French told the woman to deposit money into the accounts and then embezzled thousands of dollars. Sentencing is pending.