Anthonie Ruinard Jr., 39, an Arizona restaurateur awaiting trial for murder, has been indicted for orchestrating a $5.6 million Ponzi scheme while allegedly being involved in a brutal murder case.

A federal grand jury charged Ruinard with defrauding 54 investors through his fake company, Legacy Investors Group, Inc. He falsely claimed to be a successful investor worth $470 million, promising monthly returns of 5-6% through venture capital, private equity, and real estate investments. Instead, he allegedly spent the money on casino gambling and luxury vehicles, including a $344,000 armored car.

Ruinard was initially arrested in July 2023 for the murder of 18-year-old Parker League, whose dismembered and burned body was discovered in the Tonto National Forest near Apache Junction, Arizona. Security footage showed League and Ruinard leaving a gas station in Chandler together on June 11, 2023 - the last time League was seen alive. Police found the victim's blood and DNA in Ruinard's car.

The suspect faces 19 counts of wire fraud and transactional money laundering, in addition to federal charges of murder and concealment. His criminal history includes armed robbery, theft, making a bomb threat to a school, and animal cruelty. Ruinard previously owned Pastiche Modern Eatery in Tucson, which closed after employee paychecks bounced and a subsequent fire caused extensive damage.

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