Man accused of defrauding clients via fake celebrity charity

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — There may be some bad blood between a former New Hampshire financial adviser and clients he’s accused of defrauding via a fake charity he claimed involved singer Taylor Swift.

The state bureau of securities regulation recently obtained a court order to freeze the assets of Dain Stokes and prevent him from contacting former clients.

Authorities say two of those clients invested more than half a million dollars in what Stokes claimed was a charity project in Africa involving Swift, Bill Gates and other celebrities.

In court documents, officials also say Stokes told clients he was engaged to Swift and promised them a 20% return.

Stokes, of Fremont, has been fired by LPL Financial in Bedford. A phone message was left for him Wednesday at a possible home number.