RICHARD BERNSTEIN of Mars Venus Coaching Charged with Theft & Fraud

Unhappy Franchisee – Richard Bernstein, self-professed executive and life coach and CEO of the Mars Venus Coaching franchise company, faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and fine of $500,000 on charges of theft and securities fraud.

The Las Vegas state attorney general’s office alleges that Richard Bernstein swindled a couple out of $250,000 after they hired him to help invest the profits from the sale of their home.

Bernstein convinced the couple to invest in a new business venture, Turn-Key Financial Group, with him.  Richard Bernstein promised to match the couple’s investment, and to use their invested dollars for legitimate business expenses.

According to AG Catherine Cortez Masto’s office, Bernstein blew $125,000 of the couple’s money to buy he and his wife luxury Bentley and BMW automobiles.

Richard Bernstein was to appear today in Las Vegas Justice Court this week.  He is charged with one count of theft and one count of securities fraud, both category B felonies. 

Richard Bernstein: success coach, life coach and convicted fraudster

Up until this afternoon, the “Meet the Team” section of the Mars Venus Coaching franchise website listed Richard Bernstein as chief Operating Officer, and hyped Mr. Bernstein’s qualifications as a success coach:

Rich’s background encompasses a wealth of business and coaching experience spanning over 25 years… His background in business management makes Rich uniquely qualified to help business owners learn important strategies that can help them succeed.

Not surprisingly, the site left out Bernstein’s criminal record which, according to the Las Vegas Sun, includes a conviction for credit card fraud. Richard Bernstein also has “numerous civil judgments for breach of contract [and] two Internal Revenue Service liens totaling more than $200,000 in unpaid taxes that have been recorded against him.”

Richard Bernstein’s title, bio and picture disappeared from the Mars Venus Coaching franchise website sometime during the writing of this post.  We have contacted Mars Venus Coaching to ask if Richard Bernstein is no longer affiliated with John Gray or the Mars Venus organization.

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