Charles Moss, Jr., appeals his conviction for violation of the Georgia Securities Act. Although tried for three counts of securities fraud, Moss was convicted of one count of violating OCGA § 10-5-12. On appeal, Moss asserts that he was tried in the wrong venue because the evidence failed to prove that an act in furtherance of the transaction occurred in the county in which he was tried. He also contends his conviction is not supported by the evidence because the evidence established an unsecured loan rather than a security transaction. Held:
1. Viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict (Grant v. State,
Subsequently, the client visited Moss’ office to request payment of her first investment. Although Moss gave the client a check, he asked her not to cash the check for several days. Because of Moss’ repeated requests, the client withheld cashing the check for several weeks, until finally, Moss told her that all the money was gone.
After the client told Moss she intended to report him to the Securities & Exchange Commission, Moss called the client at her home in Gwinnett County to persuade her not to do so. Subsequently, Moss visited the client at Gwinnett Mall, also in Gwinnett County, and paid her several hundred dollars for the same purpose.
Moss further contends the evidence was insufficient to establish a securities transaction rather than a loan. To constitute a security transaction in this state, there must be an investment, reasonable expectation of profit, and reliance on the management of others to achieve the profit. Tech Resources v. Estate of Hubbard,
2. Venue for purposes of OCGA § 10-5-15 includes “any county in which any act was performed in furtherance of the transaction which violated the chapter.” To satisfy the requirements of this section, it is not necessary that the defendant be physically present in a county. Deliberately sending mail or making telephone calls to the victim’s residence is sufficient to establish venue under OCGA § 10-5-15 in that county. Thayer v. State,
Judgment affirmed.
