Arizona Ministry Head Admits Ponzi Scheme, Cites Maritime Law In Bogus Filings

By Aaron Poehler

Published on April 28, 2008

After their scheme was discovered by Colorado financial adviser Mitch Behm, Nakami co-owner Edward Purvis, 39 and Wolfe, 46, were targeted in an investigation by the Arizona Corporation Commission. According to investigators, Purvis and Wolfe then bribed Chandler, Arizona, police officer Bradley Forward to provide them with copies of portions of the confidential Corporation Commission investigation file and to perform illegal background checks.

This information was then used by Wolfe and Purvis to file a series of bogus property liens and admiralty claims against individuals connected to the investigation. Wolfe cited a sign that states “Port of entry” upon entering Arizona as the basis for filing the maritime law claims, which he admits were intended to derail the investigation against him and Purvis. Each claim demanded $15 million in damages and asserted Wolfe and Purvis had been libeled by the parties sued, including Behm, a Superior Court judge hearing facts in the case, a Corporation Commission attorney, the clerk of the Superior Court, and an Arizona Republic reporter.

Neither Wolfe nor Purvis is licensed to sell securities. Purvis is trained as a nurse and Wolfe is a former roofing contractor.