Feds want OK to seize Norfolk pastor's mail

NORFOLK

Federal authorities are stepping up their investigation into a local self-proclaimed pastor suspected of bilking 4,000 investors out of more than $1 million.

Postal inspectors have asked a federal judge to allow them to seize mail sent to Benjamin Seigler at his Norfolk apartment on Pall Mall Street. A hearing has been scheduled for April 17 before a federal judge.

Seigler has been under investigation by postal authorities since November, when they noticed that he was receiving thousands of dollars a day through the mail. Investors have told the authorities that they have not received any promised returns and many have not been able to reach Seigler, according to complaints and search warrants filed in U.S. District Court.

The postal inspectors said that last month they seized $1.3 million from Seigler's credit union account and from his apartment, as well as several computers and 27 boxes of documents, as part of the investigation.

The inspectors said in the court filings that they believe 4,000 people around the world invested with Seigler. He told investors that a $42 investment could yield as much $154,000 in 90 days, according to the inspectors' filings.

Jim Harris of Chicago said he invested about $50 with Seigler after listening to a lengthy telephone pitch in which Seigler promised big returns.

"He made me think he's OK. He was a good salesman," Harris said in a phone interview Wednesday.

Seigler frequently quoted from the Scriptures in his pitch, Harris said. "It seemed to be worth the risk," he said.

Bill Brazell of Bossier City, La., said he, too, thought the risk was worth taking.

"I throw money against the wall - some of it sticks, some of it don't," Brazell said earlier this week. "I'm a risky kind of guy."

Brazell said he invested $300 with Seigler, but after not receiving promised returns, he called repeatedly demanding a refund. He said Seigler returned $200.

Since The Virginian-Pilot first reported the federal investigation last week, dozens of people have contacted the newspaper to complain about Seigler, who called himself a pastor of a local church. The church address is Seigler's apartment.

Seigler has not returned messages from The Pilot. Court records do not list an attorney for him. He has not been charged with a crime.

Postal inspectors also have sought a cease-and-desist order against Seigler. They filed a complaint last month with a Postal Service judicial officer. The complaint, similar to a civil lawsuit, seeks to force Seigler to stop his investment program.

Seigler has told customers that he invests in programs including insurance, mutual funds, diamonds and gold, according to the court filings.

The postal inspectors said in the papers that Seigler invested little in any programs. Instead, he amassed $1 million in a local credit union account and used proceeds to pay his rent, purchase Christmas gifts, buy three automobiles and put $5,000 down on a new house, according to the court records.

The inspectors last month seized the $1 million plus another $150,000 in cash from his apartment and the three vehicles.

They also seized $45,000 from a gold bullion account in California and $135,000 from a Tennessee technology company, both investments Seigler made, the inspectors said in the court papers.

Tim McGlone, (757) 446-2343, tim.mcglone@pilotonline.com