OC investment guru charged with bilking $62.5 million from clients – Orange County RegisterBy Tony Saavedra Orange County Register UPDATED: September 9, 2025 at 6:44 PM PDTMarco Giovanni Santarelli billed himself as a “wealth creator.”On podcasts and websites, Santarelli, 56, pitched his Laguna Niguel private equity firm, Norada Capital Management, which offered unsecured, high-yield promissory notes backed by investments in Broadway musicals, real estate and cryptocurrency.But federal authorities allege it was all a scam, a Ponzi scheme that bilked some 500 clients nationwide of $62.5 million in investments — retirement money, family savings, nest eggs.Santarelli was charged Monday, Sept. 8, with one count of wire fraud and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted, according to the U.S.

As a new investor, you can still find deals in OKC (your research found you a gem) but the days of cherry picking home runs are over.

The real gem is repeating your model in other overlooked, steady cash flow markets — think Macon, Albany, Valdosta, Columbus — where you can still find small multis under the radar before they pop. 

And these gems have always been there, if you are willing to understand your markets, demographics and local rules and regs.

That duplex sounds like a smart way to get started — house hacking first is such a great way to learn the ropes while keeping your costs down.Cincinnati’s market has some hidden gems, so it’s smart you’re checking in with others to make sure you’re not missing anything.

Attorney's Office, Central District of CaliforniaFormer CEO of Orange County-Based Private Equity Fund Charged with Conning Investors Out of $62.5 Million via Bogus Promissory NotesSANTA ANA, California – An Orange County man who was the founder and CEO of a private equity fund has been charged with defrauding hundreds of investors out of approximately $62.5 million via a promissory note scam involving real estate, Broadway shows, and cryptocurrency, the Justice Department announced today.Marco Giovanni Santarelli, 56, of Laguna Niguel, is charged with one count of wire fraud.

Quote from @Giovanni Rodriguez: Quote from @John Morgan: @Giovanni RodriguezDon’t get an LLC unless you have a business partner.

This allowed me to weed out hundreds of properties THEN do my due diligence on a few remaining and find some real gems.

Something I’ve learned while starting out is that local banks and credit unions can sometimes be more flexible than big banks when it comes to investment loans. They actually get to know you, not just your numbers. De...

I get to wake up one day with a purpose that I can drive around preferably in the sunlight, walk around, go admire some beautiful craftsmanship, touch and get a connection with people (investors, buyers, tenants, subcontractors, vendors), also the satisfaction from turning a turd into a gem.