Controversy Surrounding MIG Records and Henry Jones
In the early 2000s, Lau received a record deal from Henry Jones of MIG Records (later renamed to Global Village Records). Jones used the proceeds from his ponzi scheme with Tri Energy to fund his MIG Records enterprise, and Lau was the singer that Jones spent the most money promoting. Jones produced elaborate music videos for Lau, filmed a reality show about Lau, and paid for billboard advertisement using the investor's money from his ponzi scheme. Lau was sometimes described as Jones's girlfriend, and was portrayed as such in the episode titled, "Fool's Gold," from Season 5 of American Greed.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a suit against Henry Jones and argued successfully that Jones was operating Tri Energy as an affinity fraud ponzi scheme. Lau was once suspected of being a conduit to funnel money for the ponzi scheme, and there were allegations that Lau's bank account was used as part of the fraud committed by Jones and Tri Energy. However, Jones claims Lau had nothing to do with the scheme, and that usage of Lau's bank account was just an innocent mistake. Lau was named a relief defendant and the SEC did not charge Lau of wrongdoing, but Lau was ordered to pay a disgorgement of $200,000 plus pre-judgment interest of $20,000.
Read more about this topic: Adrienne Lau
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