Recent Developments in the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) v. Jewell Robbins Case
Franklin Circuit Court Case 06-CI-114
(Also, a separate Fayette County Circuit Court case)
April 10, 2009
On April 10, Jewell Robbins was sentenced in Fayette County Circuit Court to three years in the state penitentiary, probated for five years, for violating Kentucky’s securities laws covering registration. The maximum possible penalty is five years in prison, and the commonwealth recommended three years. The charges are a result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and DFI. Fayette Commonwealth’s Attorney Ray Larson's Office is prosecuting the case. For more information, read DFI's press release.
Feb. 13, 2009
On Feb. 13, Jewell Robbins pleaded guilty in Fayette County Circuit Court to one count of violating Kentucky’s securities laws covering registration. The maximum possible penalty is five years in prison, and the commonwealth is recommending three years. Sentencing is set for April 10. The charges are a result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and DFI. Fayette Commonwealth’s Attorney Ray Larson is prosecuting the case. For more information, read DFI's press release.
Sept. 29, 2008
On Sept. 29, a Fayette County grand jury indicted Jewell Robbins on charges that she illegally sold securities related to the 1901 Spindletop oil strike. She was indicted on four felony counts, each punishable by one to five years in prison. The case is brought by the Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney through the work of the Financial Crimes Task Force.
Aug. 5, 2008
On Aug. 5, the Court of Appeals denied a motion for intermediate relief for Jewell Robbins. It states: “The motion for intermediate relief in the form of a stay of enforcement on the July 16, 2008, order pending appeal is denied.” This means she will continue to serve the jail sentence until her appeal is heard.
July 22, 2008
On July 22, the Court of Appeals denied a motion [PDF 100K] for emergency relief for Jewell Robbins. The judge stated that her health and age are not sufficient reasons to release her from jail while her appeal is considered. Robbins was sentenced to 120 days in jail on July 16. The judge released her from custody for medical treatment, with the provision that she report to the jail when released from the hospital.
July 16, 2008
Jewell Robbins was sentenced [PDF 185K] to 120 days in jail by Judge Thomas D. Wingate in Franklin Circuit Court on July 16. She was found in contempt of court because she continued to sell securities despite a court order. For more information, read DFI's press release.
July 9, 2008
The court date has been reset for the motion [PDF 122K] in Franklin Circuit Court to hold Jewell Robbins in contempt that was entered by the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), formerly the Office of Financial Institutions. A show cause hearing is now scheduled for Wednesday, July 16, at 9:30 a.m.
June 30, 2008
DFI entered a motion [PDF 122K] in Franklin Circuit Court to hold Jewell Robbins in contempt. DFI believes Robbins continues to defy the court's order to refrain from selling securities. A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, July 9, at 9:30 a.m. in Franklin Circuit Court, Division II.
March 15, 2008
Jewell Robbins verified on March 15, 2008, her sworn Answers to Interrogatories. [PDF 146K]
Oct. 30, 2007
Attorneys for DFI and Jewell Robbins met in Franklin Circuit Court on Tuesday, Oct. 30, before Judge Thomas D. Wingate. DFI's attorney said, to the best of DFI's knowledge, Robbins has provided the documents required by the contempt of court order. An additional document named in DFI's subpoena had not been provided, and Robbins' attorney has 20 days to supply it. The terms of the voluntary injunction will continue to be enforced, which means Robbins still may not sell securities in Kentucky. The judge pointed out that Robbins is under a duty to update DFI on her activities, and DFI will set periodic review dates to ensure she is not selling.
July 25, 2007
On July 25, Franklin Circuit Court Judge Thomas D. Wingate granted DFI's request for a 90-day extension in DFI's case against Jewell Robbins. DFI's attorney said documents, including a more detailed investor list, were provided and more time was needed to review them. A review of compliance was scheduled Friday, Oct. 26, in Franklin Circuit Court. However, the Franklin Circuit Court rescheduled the hearing to Tuesday, Oct. 30. Anyone who has invested with Robbins was invited to provide information to DFI to help authenticate the investor list before the hearing date. DFI required the following information to be mailed or e-mailed in a written format: name, address, how much was invested, when it was invested, how the money was paid and a description of what was purchased.
May 10, 2007
Franklin Circuit Court Judge Thomas D. Wingate signed an order [PDF 275K] on May 10 finding Jewell Robbins in contempt of court for “a willful, knowing violation” of an injunction forbidding her from continuing to sell unregistered securities. DFI obtained the injunction in 2006 and requested the contempt of court order issued by Wingate. The judge sentenced Robbins to 120 days in the Franklin County Jail but suspended the jail time on condition that she comply with his order and the original injunction. A review of compliance is scheduled for July 25 at 10 a.m. in Franklin Circuit Court. For more information, read DFI’s press release.
April 25, 2007
Attorneys for DFI and Jewell Robbins met in Franklin Circuit Court on April 25 to discuss DFI's motion for summary judgment on DFI's motion for contempt. The judge decided to proceed with the May 1 hearing as planned, so he denied the summary judgment motion. DFI filed the following affidavit: Affidavit in Response to Respondent’s Response to Motion for Summary Judgment. [PDF 84K]
For additional information, please visit the following Web pages:
Press Releases (2008-Present)
Press Releases (2006-2007)
Securities Enforcement Actions
(Note: 7/16/08 order, 5/10/07 order, 6/15/06 voluntary permanent injunction and 8/23/05 show cause order)
• In the 1980s, Robbins began selling unregistered securities in the form of “interests in litigation.” She sold to investors fractional interests in what she might recover as a result of lawsuits filed on behalf of heirs attempting to obtain shares of inheritance from the Spindletop oil strike in Texas. (The lawsuits were dismissed.)
• Robbins also sold interest in an alleged judgment for billions of dollars and a movie to be titled “Swindletop.”
• Investors have told DFI officials that Robbins claimed the government or a certified public accountant was holding money for disbursement. Robbins has been unable to provide DFI with any documentation to support this claim and admitted in court on May 1, 2007, that she had not recovered any substantial funds.
• No investor has received any money from Robbins’ specious offerings.
• Robbins has never registered the securities she is selling with DFI’s Securities Division.
• In 2003, the state Attorney General’s Office obtained an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Robbins. The document states that Robbins, who signed the document, agrees that she, her agents, employees, representatives, etc., will “immediately cease and desist from advertising, soliciting and accepting money from any natural person for the assignment of any interest in future and/or pending litigation involving the estate of James Meaders or the William R. Meadows’ Estate.”
• DFI obtained a permanent injunction in June 2006 to prohibit Jewell Robbins, aka Jewell Burgin, from offering or selling securities without DFI approval. DFI’s complaint alleged Robbins failed to disclose the exact nature of the investment to potential investors and the offering was not registered.
• The injunction also required Robbins to assist DFI in identifying all her investors and furnish DFI with her banking information.
• In October 2006, DFI filed a contempt of court motion against Robbins. The motion alleges three violations of the voluntary permanent injunction: (1) she continued selling securities, (2) failed to assist DFI by identifying her investors and (3) failed to supply DFI with names and locations of financial institutions in which she and her associates maintained accounts.
• For information on more recent court actions, please see the information at the top of this page.
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• Investors have a right to full disclosure of information related to a potential investment.
• It is a good idea to contact your securities administrator before investing. In Kentucky, call the Securities Division of DFI at 800-223-2579 with questions about an investment product, broker or adviser before making an investment. For contacts in other states, visit the North American Securities Administrators Association 
Web page.
Department of Financial Institutions
1025 Capital Center Drive
Suite 200
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: 502-573-3390
Toll free: 800-223-2579
Fax: 502-573-0086
E-mail: kfi@ky.gov