Goldline Charged With Fraud

The gold company Goldline is not entirely on the up-and-up, according to the Santa Monica City Attorney's consumer protection unit. California officials filed a 19-count criminal complaint against the company, which was endorsed by Glenn Beck and other conservative icons. The complaint alleges that Goldline runs a “bait and switch operation” that tricks customers who want to invest in bullion into buying overpriced coins instead. The charges against the company include theft by false pretenses, false advertising, and conspiracy. The complaint also accuses the former CEO Mark Albarian, executives Robert Fazio and Luis Beeli, and two salespeople of defrauding customers.