Sammamish resident stung in investment scam

At least one Plateau resident has been stung by a scam involving a Kirkland-based financial advisor.

Many clients of Rhonda Breard, a popular Eastside broker and financial planner based in Kirkland, can’t find two very important elements of their financial portfolio – their money and Breard.

Breard was last seen on Feb. 10, the day that her Kirkland office was shuttered after she lost her broker agreement with ING Financial and the ability to act as a broker in nine states: Washington, Oregon, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, North Carolina, West Virginia and Wyoming.

At least one Sammamish resident has alleged the money they invested with Breard was gone, according to King 5 news.

The Kirkland Reporter this week wrote that Breard owns three lake-front homes in the area, which are each valued at $5 million. She is also a well known financial planner with ads running on TV.

Sammamish Police told The Reporter that a Sammamish resident had filed a report with their department, but stressed that they were not involved in investigating this case.

“If anyone feels they may have some information regarding this case, or may have been a victim, please do not contact the Sammamish Police Department,” said Sammamish Police Sergeant Robert Baxter. “All inquiries are to be directed to the State Department of Financial Institutions Securities Division.”