Oregon Investment Adviser Accused of Stealing $1.6 Million From Clients Over 17 Years

By Lucille McNamara On Apr 17, 2026

For almost 17 years, a Baker City investment adviser allegedly stole shares of stocks valued at $1.6 million from his clients, transferring the proceeds into his personal bank account.

He Has Been Charged With Investment Fraud

Jeffrey Thomas Higgins (54), who has been charged with investment fraud, enticed investors by falsely claiming that he had purchased stocks on their behalf at discount prices, according to court documents.

Tidings Insight

This case is not about stocks losing value. Prosecutors say Higgins bought at market price, sold client shares without permission, and transferred the proceeds into his own bank account.

He conducted his fraudulent activities from December 2007 to June 2024. After purchasing stocks at market value, Higgins would then sell them without his investors’ knowledge, depositing the proceeds into his personal bank account.

He Covered His Activities With Fictitious Annual Statements

To conceal his illegal activities, Higgins created fictitious annual statements that reflected exaggerated profits.

Tidings Insight

Fake annual statements can keep a fraud hidden for years. DOJ says real stock purchase statements were mailed to a post office box Higgins controlled while clients received exaggerated profit reports.

Higgins appeared in the U.S. District Court in Portland yesterday. He was ordered released pending further court proceedings.

The FBI is investigating the case. The prosecutors are U.S. Attorneys Bryan Chinwuba and Andrew T. Ho.