NORTH ATTLEBORO ? a financial adviser fighting charges of defrauding seniors is running a website aimed at putting returning veterans into their own businesses.
Foxboro resident John Picini, who operates the Center for Senior Financial planning in North Attleboro, said the unrelated site is a legitimate attempt to connect veterans with careers and that no complaints have been lodged against his Internet businesses.
The website, associationforreturningsoldiers.com, displays pictures of Picini, 42, and says it is intended to help returning service people. a ?career opportunities? portion of the website links visitors to online video seminars promoting home-based businesses offering prospects of fast cash.
Picini strongly denies administrative charges brought last month by Secretary of State William Galvin?s office that he defrauded seniors of up to $2 million by offering them non-existent investments. the state has yet to hold a hearing on the charges.
The Association for Returning Soldiers is a for-profit business that offers veterans the chance to explore home-based business opportunities, Picini said. he said he culled the businesses represented on his site from a large number of such products because of their quality.
Picini, who also operates other Internet-based ventures, said he has yet to sell any packages through the Association for Returning Soldiers site.
The Foxboro resident says his motivation in setting up the site was based on his respect for the contributions of veterans, many of whom are returning home without jobs.
?I?m very proud of these guys who have served our country,? Picini said. ?There?s no way I would try to hurt or disrespect them.?
Picini says he also offers six free hours of consulting to veterans who join his program.
Links on the website invite visitors to view any one of three Internet ?webinars? focusing on businesses ranging from a web-based ?Automatic Money Machine? to a site promoting energy-saving devices and services.
Picini said he receives a payment when someone makes a purchase from one of the offers.
A portion of the site devoted to the Automatic Money Machine advertises an ?underground secret formula? seminar and claims that ?with my system you could make $500 to $3,500 per order? marketing specialized business and marketing DVDs and business concepts.
Picini said most of the promotional material on the site is boilerplate provided by the national association that markets it.
Packages are advertised on the website beginning at $695 for the ?bronze level? all the way up to $20,000 for the ?elite? package.
The website, which contains a number of testimonials, says it is not affiliated with the U.S. government or the military. It also bears a standard disclaimer saying there is no guarantee of making money.
Following an interview with the Sun Chronicle last week, a link to the material dealing with the Automatic Money Machine was removed from the careers portion of the website.
Neither the Boston office of the Better Business Bureau, nor the state Attorney General?s Office report receiving any complaints about the Association for Returning Soldiers, according to spokesmen.
Picini?s lawyer, Kevin J. O?Connor, said his client has not been the subject of any complaints related to his Internet businesses and that the charges connected to his other venture, the Center for Senior Financial planning, are unfounded.
?We think they?ve gotten it completely wrong,? said O?Connor, who noted his client has cooperated fully with authorities. ?We don?t agree that there was any intent to do wrong by anyone.?
Picini said his customers have been ?very supportive? and continue to have confidence in him.
Galvin?s office alleged that as owner of the Center for Senior Financial planning, Picini obtained millions of dollars from about 35 clients over a two-year period, and used proceeds for personal expenses.
Picini and his attorney declined to respond to specific allegations in the complaint, citing the ongoing legal process.
?All of this will be addressed when we have our day in court,? O?Connor said.
NA adviser who?s facing charges runs vets site ? The Sun Chronicle : Local News: sun chronicle ma, attleboro sun, sun chronicle local news, the sun chronicle, thesunchronicle
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