The scheme involved over 200 victims, officials say.
1 minute to read
An 83-year-old woman who owned and operated a West Springfield-based financial services company pleaded guilty last week in federal court to five counts of wire fraud in connection with a nearly $11 million Ponzi scheme, the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.
Barbara Hirshfield, of Lexington, ran Ideal Financial Services Inc. and Ideal Financial Holdings. Her scheme involved roughly 204 victims, more than 25 of whom suffered “substantial financial hardship,” officials said…