A federal grand jury indicted David Vernon Lott, a 69-year-old resident of Branson West, Missouri, on twelve counts of money laundering, according to an indictment unsealed after his arrest and initial court appearance in Springfield on Apr. 28.
The case concerns allegations that Lott owned and operated Missouri Holding Group (MHG), LLC, which was described as an investment business promising potential investors returns of ten to one within a short period. The indictment alleges that instead of using the funds for investments as advertised, Lott used the money for personal expenses starting in January 2018 through December that year. It is further alleged he paid off a personal residence with these funds, sold the property in 2025, and then conducted twelve separate transactions over $10,000 each with the proceeds.
Prosecutors said the charges are accusations only and do not constitute evidence of guilt. “Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence,” according to information released by authorities. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Brown is prosecuting the case following investigations by Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and the Missouri Secretary of State’s Securities Enforcement Division.
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri supports community outreach and prevention programs focused on issues such as violent crime and drug trafficking according to its official website. The office handles federal prosecutions and civil litigation across sixty-six counties in western Missouri as reported by its official site.
With offices located in Kansas City, Jefferson City, and Springfield according to its official website, this office covers jurisdiction from Iowa’s border southward to Arkansas’ border and westward from Kansas’ border roughly halfway across Missouri as stated by its official website. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also collaborates with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners according to its official site.
The outcome will depend on future proceedings before a federal trial jury.