Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney W. WALTER WILKINS stated today that JOSEPH B. BRUNSON, age 46, of Hopkins, TIMOTHY MCQUEEN, age 50, of Blythewood, and TONY POUGH, age 46, of Columbia, known collectively as the “Three Hebrew Boys,” were charged in an indictment with 35 counts of Mail Fraud, violations of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1341, and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349.

The Indictment describes a scheme in which investors were encouraged to participate in a number of debt elimination schemes by paying fees to the Capital Consortium Group (CCG), the business entity fronted by the Three Hebrew Boys. Brunson, McQueen, and Pough solicited checks through the mail and sent

participants certificates confirming their contributions. The fees were then purportedly swept through bank accounts into the FOREX market, where foreign currency is traded. The Defendants claimed these FOREX investments yielded returns of between 200% and 500% per night, and this money purportedly would be used to pay off mortgages, automobile and student loans, and credit card debt. Investors were also advised that they could participate in programs paying a guaranteed annuity. According to CCG records, between 2004 and 2007, Brunson, McQueen, and Pough took in approximately $80,000,000.00, and were obligated to pay approximately $950,000,000.00. Authorities allege that the men were actually operating a Ponzi scheme, as early investors were paid with new contributions, not investment proceeds.

Mr. Wilkins stated the maximum penalty Pough, Brunson, and McQueen could receive on each count is a fine of $250,000 and imprisonment for 20 years.

Mr. Wilkins stated that the case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and the Internal Revenue Service, and that he has assigned the case to Assistant United States Attorneys Winston Holliday and Mark Moore of the Columbia office for prosecution.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.