Glenn Beck's Sponsor Goldline Under Investigation By Los Angeles D.A. For Fraud (VIDEO)

Goldline, more popularly known for its high-profile endorsements from Fox News' Glenn Beck and former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, is under investigation by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office and was the subject of Monday night's "Nightline" on ABC.

Authorities in Los Angeles began the investigation after receiving over 100 complaints from consumers who claimed to have lost thousands of dollars after investing with Goldline and Superior Gold Group, a company based out of Santa Monica, California.

Adam Radinsky, Santa Monica City Deputy Attorney, whose office is partnering with investigators in L.A., spoke with "Nightline" about the types of complaints that consumers were making:

There are two main types of complaints we're seeing. One is that customers say that they were lied to and misled in entering into their purchases of gold coins. And the other group is saying that they received something different from what they had ordered.

The problem is allegedly with the antique gold coins that Goldline sells as a part of their investing scheme. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.), who is hoping to conduct a congressional investigation into the gold company, also spoke with "Nightline":

Once they get people on the phone, they basically steer them into these so-called collectible coins, and that's where the rip-off becomes really profound.

The companies spokespeople declined to speak with "Nightline" but issued a statement to ABC citing the transparency of their prices and that customers know and understand the risks involved before they invest.

WATCH:

Comments

[seajayh]

10:29 PM on 07/27/2010

As far as I'm concerned anyone that is dumb enough to listen to Glen Beck about anything deserves the full consequences. Sometimes learning the hard way is the only way.

[jonathanashleyii]

07:57 PM on 07/25/2010

I am not here to defend Glenn Beck or Goldline. I am here to point out that ABC's recent hatchet job is disturbing. Is this what passes for journalism in these days?

Brian Ross was clearly not objective during the 8-minute-34-second segment. Roughly 2 minutes into the segment Ross states, "Goldline and another Santa Monica-based company are under investigation after more than 100 complaints from around the country." 

Ross never mentioned the name of the other company during the entire segment. Why? How many of the 100-plus complaints were from customers of Goldline? How many from the unnamed company? The answers never came.

An honest reporter would have asked those questions. 

The BBB rates Goldline "A+" (40 complaints over 36 months, all resolved to the satisfaction of the customers and the BBB.)

Superior Gold Group, the company not mentioned on air by Ross has an "F" rating (46 complaints over 36 months -- 25 unanswered).

There was clearly an agenda in place, yet websites, perhaps without thinking, are parroting ABC's shoddy reporting and the liberals applaud. Apparently they are okay with shoddy reporting as long as it's not on FOX.

You can hate Glenn Beck all you want, but when there is an obvious agenda to silence free speech, you should be on the side of the person whose speech they are trying to silence, if for no other reason than it might be your speech they want to silence next.

[johnny g locker]

07:53 PM on 07/24/2010

Gold and silver are the enemy of the Federal Reserve banking system. The Federal Reserve banking system is the enemy of the people as it concentrates wealth to the few at the expense of many.

Wall Street cannot control gold and silver. That is why it is being demonized.

[CanHandleTheTruth]

01:12 PM on 07/23/2010

This isn't just about Goldline or Beck. It's about ***owning Gold and Silver***. Period. It's guised under a supposed consumer protection approach, yet it's about how the feds are increasingly worried over dissipating trust in the US Dollar as the backstop of value domestically and globally.

Hence why the IRS is sneakin' a gold tax provision into the new *health care bill*, of all things. Hence why the banksters continue to suppress the metals prices ad naseum, throwing everything they can at it.

Meanwhile, the Chinese, Russians, Indians and others around the world are buying their gold and silver hand over fist.

[Soliel]

04:06 PM on 07/21/2010

This is more than about Beck. Many people who went to Goldline did not do so from Beck. And by the way, it IS true that gold is going up and HAS gone up because of dollar values. That was absolutely TRUE because of the way our government is spending and printing money.

Where the LIE is is WHAT kind of gold to buy. If people buy buillion, they can ride the gold wave but instead, Goldline steers them into high commission numismatic coins that barely move or they pay so much in commission they get no profit or even protection from inflation whatsoever.

Goldline is a predatory company. They are not good to people and have bilked hundreds at least. I hope they get in big trouble and have to pay up big. I also hope that Beck and the others who advertised for Goldline get shamed as well.

It would be nice if they had to pay, too for they are part of a scam that has hurt untold people.

Goldline brings in 500 million in sales a year. I wonder how many people are harmed by this?

[jonathanashleyii]

07:33 PM on 07/22/2010

After the ABC report was aired, the Better Business Bureau reviewed Goldline's A+ rating and found no reason to change it.

RipoffReport.com gave Goldline a Positive Rating stating, "Recognition has been given to Goldline International for its Commitment to Excellence in customer service."

Rip-off Report’s investigation of Goldline International found "an ongoing commitment to client satisfaction. This means clients can expect that Goldline will always work towards finding a mutually satisfactory resolution to complaints or concerns. Goldline listens carefully to client concerns and sees them as an opportunity to learn and become more efficient as a company in the products it offers."

The report ABC aired began by mentioning their were two companies under investigation. Why was the name of the second company never mentioned? Why was so much time focused Glenn Beck?

[raporter1950]

12:08 PM on 07/21/2010

I imagine a lot of Beck listeners believe in deregulation and Ayn Ran winner take all capitalism. They don't want the government to take care of them, but expect help from Glenn Beck. So they don't feel the need to do their own research, after all Huckabee and Beck have done it for them, but when they get screwed royally, they expect the government to investigate and clean up their mess.

[MrNCN]

09:31 AM on 07/21/2010

Well, we know this is total bunk because Barry Minkow of the Discovery Fraud Institute is rising to Glenn's defense. Of course, Barry is under SEC investigation himself but, nevermind that. PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN! Get out your wallet and listen to Glenn Beck!

Not only am I going to go buy all the gold coins I can (from Goldline) but, I am going to bury it in the yard near my "Crisis Garden" (from the Survival Seed Bank) and then get me one of those excellent "Work from Home" jobs (Herballife) he advertises. After that, I need to get one of those booklets on how to get VA Benefits (for only $9.95) and, I might just donate $100 to get one of those snazzy prints (poster) of Steven Penley's Restoring Honor: Abraham Lincoln.

GLENN BECK FOR PRESIDENT! STAND UP FOR THE CONSTITUTION! OBAMA JUST WANTS TO ENSLAVE US! WAKE UP AMERICA AND TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK!!

Oh! BRB, the mailman just arrived with my unemployment check...
KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF OF MY MEDICAID!!!

[barneyisthebest]

09:36 AM on 07/21/2010

Where is your outrage at Ed Schultz????

Wow. You got some real hate. I got an idea. Just don't pay attention to him. Like aging child starts they go away after a while

[MrNCN]

10:49 AM on 07/21/2010

Hate? Nah. You can't hate a joke. And, I have no idea who advertises on Ed's show (don't watch) but it wouldn't surprise me if they bought ad time there. These guys have lots of $$ and, that's what makes the television turn on. Glenn, on the other hand, is a complete and total fraud and, even he knows it. Look at the other advertisers on his website (MLM schemes and kooky end of the world stuff). If he so darned popular, why is it that he can't seem to keep legitimate sponsors for his tv show either?.

I don't really have much sympathy for the people he snookers as most of them are fear mongering hate speech goof balls but, still. He's a carnival barker that will say anything and do anything as long as someone is paying him to do it... but hate? Who has the time? He's not worth it...

[MrNCN]

09:05 AM on 07/21/2010

http://www.bbb.org/us/article/beware-of-companies-offering-quick-riches-304

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) urges consumers to use caution when approached by businesses that sell investments in precious metals and other commodities. Some unscrupulous companies advertise on radio, television or Internet Web sites, or make telephone "cold calls" to promote the purchase of precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum. Their claim is that customers can double or triple their initial investment in just two or three months, with little risk.

According to the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), these fraudulent companies offer to purchase metal for the customer through a financing agreement. The customer is asked to pay a small percentage of the total purchase price. The company often charges customers a commission for the purchase transaction, a loan origination fee, an interest charge on the remaining balance (which accrues over time), and fees relating to storage and shipping of the metal the company pretends to purchase.

[barneyisthebest]

08:54 AM on 07/21/2010

And by they way. Are the people who listen to Schultz and Hartman "Kool aid drinkers"

Get a crip people. Wow.

[PALFEY]

09:34 AM on 07/21/2010

A crip or a blood. Either will do.

[barneyisthebest]

08:51 AM on 07/21/2010

I doubt anyone who hates Beck will read this. I don't like him but I consider myself honest. I listen to Thom Hartman every day (the guy who hates Banksters) and I listen to Schultz's replay on the way home from work. They both persoanlly endorse Gold Line. I swear I also heard Stephanie Miller advertise for them too. They personally do the adds, using pretty much the same talking points Beck uses. "Gold is a hedge againest an unstable economy"

You guys are so quick to throw Beck under the bus, you are throwing your same guys under there too. I really am disappointed on the lack on intellectual honesty on this board. So many folks are so blind with hate. Why even post if you don't actually "think". Just ramble your hate to yourself.

[amdezurik]

09:00 AM on 07/21/2010

are any of the ones you named "paid spoksmen" for the company? as opposed to simply reading copy they are paid to read Glenda is paid seperatly by Goldline to pimp it's "service" and even get's junkets paid for by them to it's HQ whenever he wants a vacation in Ca.

[barneyisthebest]

09:32 AM on 07/21/2010

I suggest you listen to Thom Hartman and judge for yourself. It sounds exactly like what Beck says, Just from the anti-banskter point of view.

[jonathanashleyii]

09:34 PM on 07/22/2010

So, are these just the rantings of an unhappy liberal? Or, can you prove that Beck is a "paid spokesman" for Goldline. Can you prove that he "get's junkets paid for by them to it's HQ whenever he wants a vacation in Ca."

[Winged Pegasus]

09:20 AM on 07/21/2010

Number one. Please be kind and fan those who fan you. Winged Pegasus.

[Zanubiyah]

08:50 AM on 07/21/2010

Another thing sold to people using fear. To me being driven by fear is the problem, not Glen Beck or Goldline.

What surprises me about all of this is Evangelical Christian Mike Huckabee...supposedly puts his trust in an all mighty 'god', but drives his people into schemes like this so they can be 'saved' from finacial hardship. Seems just a fancier notion of faith healer schemes.

Isnt an all mighty God good enough?

[ATomCat3]

08:41 AM on 07/21/2010

another example for how an communist government is ramming down it's totalitarian regulations down american's throats... :-)

[Clint Abear]

08:40 AM on 07/21/2010

thix could make a fool of becky! i will buy him a drink...

[Donns]

08:34 AM on 07/21/2010

Beck is associated with a fraud?? I thought Fraud news network was the only fraud he was part of.

[Savage Saint Roger]

08:25 AM on 07/21/2010

Let me try this again, maybe it will get posted...Glen Beck is a preacher in reverse. He builds confidence in both him and his message. At that point his intended victims, listeners, start to develop Stockhom Syndrome. At that point, his Daddy Goldline can easily fleece them from their much needed savings.

I know, I know, buyer beware, just like the insanity of buying over inflated real estate, but, the crap he spews is over the air waves and can easily fall on unsuspecting ears. His and Rush's shows are like Mustard Gas falling over everyone without prejudice.