Democrat-backing fintech executive arrested for allegedly defrauding investors out of $145 million
The Democrat-backing multimillionaire founder of a “climate-friendly banking” startup — whose celebrity investors included Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom and Drake — was arrested by federal authorities this week for allegedly conspiring to defraud investors.Joseph Neal Sanberg, a 45-year-old Orange County, Calif.resident who billed himself as an “anti-poverty advocate,” was taken into custody on Monday after he was alleged to have cheated two investor funds out of $145 million, according to federal prosecutors.Sanberg’s arrest came after his alleged co-conspirator, Ibrahim Ameen AlHusseini, 51, of Venice, pleaded guilty to wire fraud after copping to receiving around $12.3 million in payments from the fraudulent scheme, prosecutors said.Sanberg co-founded Aspiration, a financial services company promoting sustainable and ethical banking practices.
Among the backers of Aspiration are Hollywood stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom, Cindy Crawford, the rapper Drake and Robert Downey Jr.A spokesperson for DiCaprio declined to comment.
The Post has reached out to Bloom, Crawford, Drake and Downey.Sanberg, whose records list addresses in California, New York and Greenwich, Conn., was an early investor in Blue Apron, a meal delivery service.According to the Open Secrets website, Sanberg has contributed thousands of dollars to various Democrat-aligned causes over the years.Sanberg has given money to candidates such as former President Barack Obama, former Vice President Kamala Harris, Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sen.
Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), former Sen.Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and others.Sanberg also founded CalEITC4Me, a program aimed at helping low-income families in California claim earned income tax credits.Prior to these legal issues, Sanberg was active in political and social advocacy, particularly focusing on anti-poverty initiatives and efforts to raise the minimum wage in California to $18 an hour.He had also been mentioned as a potential polit...