Former Location Ventures CEO Sentenced to Prison
Rishi Kapoor received a 136-month sentence after defrauding investors of roughly $89 million.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Financial Crime
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Investors and employees of the Miami-based real estate firm Location Ventures are seeing the final fallout of a massive fraud scheme. Rishi Kapoor, the company's former CEO, has been sentenced to 136 months in federal prison for money laundering and payroll tax crimes.
Why it matters
The case highlights the risks within local real estate development, where Kapoor manipulated escrow funds and misled investors to finance a luxury lifestyle. The sentencing closes a chapter on a scheme that reached into projects across Miami, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, and Miami Beach.
Kapoor diverted over $6 million in company funds between 2018 and 2023 to buy items including a 68-foot yacht and a 2.8-carat diamond ring. He also withheld $1.3 million in payroll taxes and falsely claimed he had invested $13 million of his own money into the business.
The players
Rishi Kapoor
The former CEO of Location Ventures who was sentenced for money laundering and tax crimes.
SEC
The federal agency that filed a civil action and secured an asset freeze against Kapoor.
The details
Kapoor used deceptive practices with escrow agents to access pre-construction deposits for personal use, including the purchase of a $5.9 million Cocoplum home. The SEC, which previously obtained an asset freeze in January 2024, had filed a civil action against him in December 2023. This prison sentence marks the conclusion of the criminal prosecution following his guilty plea for money laundering and conspiracy to fail to pay payroll taxes.
Timeline
2018-2023: Kapoor diverted over $6 million from Location Ventures.
December 2023: The SEC filed a civil action against Kapoor.
January 2024: The SEC obtained an asset freeze against Kapoor.
October 1, 2026: Kapoor was sentenced to 136 months in prison.
Beyond the 305
This case follows the pattern of federal enforcement against real estate executives set by the SEC's 2023-2024 asset freeze enforcement actions. The sentencing marks a departure from typical civil recovery efforts by resulting in significant federal incarceration.
Residents and investors who were tied to Location Ventures projects should monitor the federal court record for updates on asset distribution. There are no immediate changes to existing zoning or development approvals for the project sites previously managed by the firm.
The takeaway
The sentencing of Rishi Kapoor underscores the importance of verifying financial disclosures before committing to pre-construction deposits. Investors and contractors should maintain close watch on future federal court filings regarding the status of liquidated assets.
Further reading
For more on how local real estate developments are monitored, visit our Financial Crime section.
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