DJ Envy is a co-host on the hit radio program The Breakfast Club. Cesar Piña, his longstanding business partner, was arrested on federal wire fraud charges after defrauding dozens of investors out of millions of dollars through a Ponzi-like scheme.
DJ Envy has refuted any misconduct and asserted that he was similarly duped by Piña. However, what precisely did Piña do, and what is DJ Envy’s relationship with him? This is what we currently know.
Is DJ Envy Arrested?
As of right now, there is no proof that DJ Envy knew about or was directly involved in Piña’s fraud plan. He might still be subject to legal repercussions, though, given his position as Piña’s promoter and partner.
Lawsuits have been launched by certain victims against DJ Envy and Piña, alleging carelessness, fraud, unjust enrichment, and breach of contract.
They are requesting compensation for their interest and losses. DJ Envy might also come under fire from the IRS, who might look into his financial dealings with Piña and tax filings.
The FCC might also interrogate him and look into whether he broke any ethics or rules about broadcasting by promoting Piña’s company on his radio show.
In order to protect himself against lawsuits and any investigations, DJ Envy has retained attorneys.
In addition, he has expressed regret to his listeners and admirers for any misunderstanding or unhappiness the issue may have created. He has promised to carry on with his career as a real estate instructor and radio personality.
Envy apologized to anyone who felt let down on The Breakfast Club. “However, I’ll keep doing what I do best, which is instruct people in real estate.”
In 2015, Envy got to know Piña—a former drug dealer who is now a real estate mogul—through a buddy. Piña declared he had made over a quarter of a billion dollars flipping over a thousand residences in New Jersey.
In addition, he exalted in his close association with DJ Envy and exploited his popularity to draw in investors at seminars and on social media.
Piña and Envy co-hosted a number of real estate seminars around the nation, teaching ambitious business owners how to buy distressed buildings and turn them around for a profit.
DJ Envy | Arrest and Charge
In the federal complaint submitted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey, Piña was involved in a fraudulent operation that solicited money from investors under false pretenses between 2016 and 2021.
Regarding the nature of his business, the condition of his properties, and the possible profits from his transactions, he is accused of lying.
Additionally, he embezzled the investors’ money for his own spending, loan repayments, and other projects.
According to the lawsuit, Piña scammed over $10 million from at least 40 people. Attendees of DJ Envy and Piña’s workshops included some victims.
Envy recommended others, and Piña reached out to them via social media. The victims said that Piña’s reputation as a successful flipper and his affiliation with DJ Envy were the reasons they trusted him.
On October 18, 2023, the FBI raided Piña’s New Jersey home and office and took him into custody on allegations of wire fraud.
After entering a not-guilty plea, he was given a $1 million bond and given electronic monitoring. If found guilty, he may get up to 20 years in prison and a fine.
The FBI searched DJ Envy’s office at The Breakfast Club and took laptops, hard drives, and cell phones; he was not charged or detained.
Envy has steadfastly defended his innocence, claiming to have been ignorant of Piña’s illicit pursuits. He added that he lost a lot of money investing with Piña and never got any money from the scammed investors.
During his radio show last week, DJ Envy declared,
“I would never take a dollar from somebody.”
“I’ve been on the radio for almost 30 years, and during that time, I have never done anything but try to inspire people and show them that there is another way to think about business.”
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