Salt Lake man faces charges, accused of contract scam

A Salt Lake man who allegedly took $150,000 from an investor for fake government contracts has been charged with several felonies.

The Utah Division of Securities and Attorney General's Office said Wednesday that criminal charges have been filed against Bennie Smith Jr. of Salt Lake City. Smith faces three second-degree felony charges for securities fraud and theft and two third-degree felony charges for sales of an unregistered security by an unlicensed broker-dealer or agent.

Division investigators allege Smith solicited $150,000 from one investor to use for government contracts that turned out to be fake and spent much of the investor's money on personal bills.

Charges were filed by the Attorney General's Office in 3rd District Court on Aug. 22, the division statement said. Law enforcement officials are still seeking Smith's arrest.