Daniel P. Reeve took to the stand at his own fraud trial Monday, detailing how he went from being a high-profile financial advisor to working overnight shifts at a hardware store.
Reeve has pleaded not guilty to fraud and theft charges, which relate to allegations that he bilked 41 people out of a combined $10 million by convincing them to invest their money with him, then using that money for other purposes.
Since the trial began last June, it has heard from more than 70 witnesses.
Reeve added his name to the roster Monday, explaining to the judge how he went from a life of luxury to earning $11.25 per hour at a Home Depot store in Collingwood.
“When the companies closed, I lost everything,” he testified.
“I had to find work where I could get it.”
At one point, that meant for a roofing company – a job he said he lost after his supervisor read a newspaper report outlining allegations against Reeve, before any charges were laid.
Reeve said that he then moved to Collingwood to live with his girlfriend, because he had nowhere else to turn, and then started working at the hardware store.
“I started on midnights and worked my way into the day shift,” he said.
The former financial mogul said that he would stock shelves, pick up garbage and operate a forklift, earning “maybe $11.25 an hour” for that work.
The specific allegations against Reeve were not discussed during his time on the stand Monday.
His testimony continues Tuesday.
