May 29, 2026, Press Release from Ohio Division of Securities:
CELINA, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Securities announces that Christopher T. Wendel, 60, a resident of Mercer County, Ohio, pled guilty today in the Mercer County Court of Common Pleas to 12 securities related felonies. He was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay nearly $1.6 million in restitution. A 36‑month prison term was suspended by Judge Jonathan P. Hein, contingent upon Wendel’s successful completion of probation and full repayment of restitution.
Wendel was indicted in July 2024 on 96 criminal counts alleging he defrauded Ohioans of more than $1 million. The charges ranged from fifth- to first-degree felonies and included securities fraud, unlicensed securities activity, misrepresentation in the sale of securities, the sale of unregistered securities, theft, and telecommunications fraud. He was indicted again in November 2024 on an additional 26 counts…