A reality show couple from North Texas has been convicted by a federal jury in connection with a multi-million dollar pyramid scheme.
Marlon and LaShonda Moore were found guilty Friday of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and money laundering after a four-day trial at the federal courthouse in Sherman. Prosecutors say the couple defrauded more than 10,000 people during the COVID-19 pandemic, taking in over $25 million.
Sentencing dates have not yet been set.
The criminal case marks the latest development in the Moores’ years-long legal battles. In June 2021, they appeared in a Collin County courtroom to face civil charges brought by the Texas Attorney General’s Office. At the time, they arrived at the courthouse with private security.
“I think the truth will come to light,” Marlon Moore told NBC 5 then.
The civil case ended in 2023 with a $10.76 million judgment against the couple. It’s unclear how much, if any, of that judgment has been paid.
The Moores, who ran the operation out of their home in Prosper, called the program “Blessings in No Time,” or BINT. According to federal prosecutors, they marketed BINT to the African American community, promising guaranteed returns and refunds if participants weren’t satisfied.
“We were just played. We were played with our feelings. We were promised the money; we didn’t get it,” said Rosetta Fleming, who said she and her husband invested more than $6,000 with the Moores.
“We didn’t look at it like it was a gamble. We looked at it like it was something out there that could help us pay the bills, feed our children,” she said.
Fleming said participants were placed on “playing boards” and encouraged to recruit others, with the promise of being “blessed” financially at each level. But she said she never received a payout or the refund she was promised.
“They were African Americans as well and they were taking advantage of us,” Fleming said.
The U.S. Department of Justice said in its indictment that the Moores “targeted the African American community during the COVID-19 pandemic with false and misleading statements and promises regarding high returns,” to “unlawfully enrich themselves,” and then tried to “conceal their scheme.”
“They specifically stated no other race, no other group of people, no social media,” Fleming added.
The couple, who once appeared on the reality show Family or Fiancé, now face potential decades in federal prison.
“It sent a message out to people that this is not tolerated,” said Fleming, who is still seeking restitution.
The Moores are currently being held in the Fannin County Jail.
An attorney for Marlon Moore told NBC 5 he presented evidence that the couple attempted to fix the program once it spiraled, but the jury ultimately disagreed. An attorney for LaShonda Moore did not respond to a request for comment.