More Arrests Made In Alleged Investment Scheme

U.S. Department of Justice officials report the arrest of four more suspects related to the investigation into an alleged investment scam involving Benchmark Capital, Inc., an investment firm with offices in Knoxville and Greenville, S.C..  Brian Murphy, Paulynn Wright, Dona Rector and Tiffany Thompson are the latest to be charged in connection with the scheme that reportedly bilked investors out of $18 Million. The charges include conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and money laundering.  A grand jury indictment returned earlier this week alleges Benchmark Capital was involved in an elaborate scheme that lured victims into investing their retirement savings and home equity into fake annuity plans.  The indictment also includes additional charges against Joyce Allen and Kay Thomas, both of whom were arrested in connection with the investigation last July.  The Knoxville-based investment firm was owned and managed by Charles "C.D." Candler, who committed suicide last year just as federal investigators began to inquire into Benchmark's financial dealings.