Peregrine CEO pleads guilty to fraud; to stay in jail

(REUTERS) - Peregrine Financial Group's former chief executive Russell Wasendorf pleaded guilty on Monday to embezzling more than US$100 million (S$122 million) from customers of his futures brokerage, lying to regulators to cover his tracks, and mail fraud.

Previously expected to be set free from jail pending his sentencing, Wasendorf was told he will remain behind bars while a judge determines whether he is a flight risk.

Wasendorf, 64, agreed earlier this month to plead guilty after confessing in July to stealing from his customers for nearly 20 years.

In a small courtroom in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Magistrate Judge Jon Scoles confirmed that Wasendorf wanted to plead guilty to each of four charges.