Winter Park Man Arrested in Multi-Million Dollar Real Estate Fraud Scheme Across Florida

Jerald Benjamin Clawson, 74, of Winter Park, Florida, was arrested on charges of organized scheme to defraud and unlawful use of unregistered securities after allegedly operating a multi-million-dollar Ponzi scheme involving real estate investments. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement began investigating Clawson in October 2023, uncovering that he solicited cash and bridge loans from victims across multiple counties, promising guaranteed returns that never materialized. Instead of investing the funds, Clawson is accused of pocketing several million dollars for personal use. His arrest on August 28 was executed by the Orange County Sheriff's Office after FDLE Fort Myers agents obtained a warrant. The case is being prosecuted by the Attorney General's Office of Statewide Prosecution, with ongoing investigations involving the FDLE, Florida Office of Financial Regulation, and Seminole County Sheriff's Office. Clawson has a prior history of fraud allegations dating back to the early 2000s involving a separate fraudulent scheme that raised over $74 million from mostly elderly investors.