Orem salesman sentenced to year in federal prison after $5M scam

OREM, Utah (ABC4) — A Utah County salesman has been sentenced to a year in federal prison, six months after he pleaded guilty to defrauding over 130 investors out of more than $5 million.

Kole Glen Brimhall, 27, of Orem, offered investments through a company called Alpha Influence, LLC. According to the Department of Justice, Brimhall fraudulently sold investment securities as part of a scheme he promoted through social media for two years. Brimhall and others claimed the investments would generate “life-changing passive income” for investors in a very short amount of time.

For his part in the scheme, Brimhall pleaded guilty to being responsible for the sale of about 135 Alpha Influence investments to individual investors. He reportedly received $1,097,709 in commissions from the fraudulent sales.

“Brimhall’s participation in defrauding investors not only left investors in financial devastation, but with a loss of trust that can have a lifelong impact in their personal and professional life,” said Felice John Viti, Acting U.S. Attorney of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah. “It is our hope that by prosecuting these crimes, we will deter others from participating in affinity fraud schemes in our communities.”

In a statement, Margaret Busse, the executive director of the Utah Department of Commerce, said Brimhall’s sentencing sends a clear message that predatory actions will not be tolerated.

“We stand firmly committed to protecting Utah investors. Fraudulent activities like this erode public trust in legitimate investments and undermine the very foundations of our financial system,” said Busse.

As part of his sentencing, Brimhall will also serve three years of supervised release following his prison term. He was also ordered to pay a forfeiture judgment for his earned commissions and over $5 million in restitution to the victims.