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<I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO SAY..> Neighbors are at a loss for words Monday ... After news broke that Pella businessman - Mark Blankespoor - is charged with 12 counts of mail fraud and 12 counts of wire fraud. <I AM REALLY SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT.> The federal indictment says Blankespoor was a health coach and consultant - who told people he was developing medically-oriented gyms across the U.S. Authorities say he convinced 150 people to invest 15 million dollars which he used for personal expenses and to pay off other investors. The ponzi-like scheme allegedl started 2013 and continued through this year. Blankespoor is out on bail - but no one answered the door when we knocked at his Pella hom Monday. <I VIEW HIM AS A GOOD CHRISTIAN MAN. THAT'S KIND OF WHY IT'S SHOCKING.> Neighbors say Blankespoor is well connected and respected in the community. Federal agents have not released the identities of any victims - except to say they are all over the state. Court papers show Blankespoor cashed checks ranging from 10- thousand dollars to 300-thousand dollars. The payments came from places like Sioux City, Le Mars and Ankeny. <IT'S PRETTY STRANGE.> Blankespoor's attorney says he is a respected physical therapist and past president of the Iowa Physical Therapy Association... Who previously founded and operated multiple work rehab clinics throughout Central Iowa

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An Iowa man is charged with defrauding investors out of millions of dollars in Pella in what the Department of Justice called a "Ponzi-like" scheme.The Department of Justice said Monday that Mark Alan Blankespoor is charged with 12 counts of mail fraud and 12 counts of wire fraud. According to an indictment, Blankespoor told others he was involved in developing “medically oriented gyms” and offered them investment opportunities for the gyms.The Department of Justice said at least 150 investors gave Blankespoor approximately $15 million between May 2013 and January 2019.The indictment alleges Blankespoor used the investors’ money for personal expenses and paying other investors, for losses to victims of over $6.5 million.Neighbors said they were at a loss for words after news of Blankespoor’s charges broke.“I am really surprised to hear that,” Pella resident Doug Pfadenhauer said.Pfadenhauer said Blankespoor is well connected and respected in the community. “I view him as a good Christian man,” he said. “That's kind of why it's shocking.”Federal agents have not released the identities of any victims except to say they are all over the state. Court papers show Blankespoor cashed checks ranging from $10,000 to $300,000 and that payments came from Sioux City, Le Mars and Ankeny.Attorney Guy Cook, who represents Blankespoor, sent the following message to KCCI:"Mark Blankespoor, 49, is a respected physical therapist and certified health coach. He holds a BA, MBA, and Doctorate in physical therapy. He is past president of the Iowa Physical Therapy Association."Blankespoor is successful business man, having previously founded and operated multiple work rehab clinics throughout central Iowa and a large fitness business. "He is the owner of Blankespoor Consulting of Pella, which provides wellness coaching and consulting services to physical therapy clinic owners and other health professionals"Blakenspoor has entered not guilty pleas to the charges."Mail and wire fraud are punishable by a maximum prison term of 20 years and a maximum fine of $250,000.Blankespoor’s trial is scheduled for June 3.