Federal authorities have seized more than $2.5 million in real estate owned by an Ashe County businessman arrested last week on charges of money laundering, wire fraud and securities fraud, according to tax records and local authorities.
Keith Simmons, the owner of Black Diamond Capital Solutions LLC, is expected to have an initial appearance before a federal magistrate today in Charlotte.
The Ashe County Sheriff's Office started the investigation this past fall. They soon realized that it would be a federal case and asked federal authorities to become involved, said Ashe County Sheriff James Williams. He said they asked him not to discuss details of the investigation.
The U.S. government, acting through an FBI agent, seized more than 20 properties owned by Black Diamond Capital Solutions, according to a notice filed Dec. 9 in the Ashe County Register of Deeds office.
The properties include more than 93 acres, along with lots in subdivisions, a number of buildings and four condominium units in Jefferson Station. The combined value is more than $2.5 million, according to tax records.
The properties were owned by Black Diamond, with the exception of a home owned by Simmons and his wife on Mount Jefferson. Its tax value is $226,100.
Simmons formed Black Diamond Capital Solutions in 2005, according to records on file with the N.C. Department of the Secretary of State. The company does commercial lending and commercial finance, according to its Web site.
In 2007, Simmons formed High South Realty LLC. The companies are in the same building at 522 S. Main St.
A voicemail message left at High South Realty yesterday was not returned. A broker there told the Jefferson Post that High South Realty is not involved in the investigation.
mmitchell@wsjournal.com
336-667-5691
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