2 suits filed against Anderson County businessman

EASLEY, S.C. (AP) — Two lawsuits have been filed against a Pickens County businessman whose precious metals business is under investigation for securities fraud allegations.

The lawsuits filed Monday in Pickens County seek damages from Ronnie Wilson. Each one also names people who worked for or with Wilson as part of an alleged scheme run out of his Easley business.

Authorities say Wilson told customers of Atlantic Bullion & Coin their money was being used to buy silver as an investment. Prosecutors accusing Wilson of securities fraud say little of the precious metal was ever purchased.

Prosecutors had been expected to ask a judge Thursday to freeze Wilson’s accounts, but a spokesman said Wilson had agreed to hand the money over to the attorney general’s office, which will hold the money for investors.