Article: Ex-GunnAllen, Ameriprise broker could serve 23 years in prison; Jeffrey Southard pleaded guilty to mail fraud and filing a false tax return.(News)

Byline: Bruce Kelly

A former GunnAllen Financial Inc. and Ameriprise Financial Services Inc. broker pleaded guilty this month to two federal charges, one of mail fraud and the other of filing a false tax return, and he faces up to 23 years in prison when he is sentenced in September.

According to court documents, Jeffrey Southard stole $1.83 million from at least 14 clients who believed they were buying tax-free bonds dubbed "Ohio bonds and "Bank of America bonds with guaranteed returns of 6% to 10%. In reality, the securities didn't exist. Mr. Southard also owes $112,534 in back taxes.

On June 12, Mr. Southard, 44, entered the plea in U.S. ...

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