78‑Year‑Old Danville Advisor Sentenced to 9 Years for $12 Million Ponzi Scam

When Edwin Lickiss, a 78‑year‑old financial adviser from Danville, walked into the federal courtroom in Oakland on Wednesday, the air was thick with a mix of anger, disappointment and—surprisingly—a lot of tears. The man who had spent nearly three decades convincing friends, fellow congregants and even his own relatives to hand over money was about to hear the judge’s gavel seal his fate.

Judge James McAllister didn’t mince words. He called Lickiss’s operation a "trail of destruction" that spanned almost thirty years and swindled more than $12 million from at least 93 victims. The sentence? Nine years behind bars, plus a hefty restitution order that will be felt for many years to come.

Reporter Dan Noyes of ABC7 got a fleeting chance to speak with Lickiss just before he was led to the security checkpoint. Noyes asked, “What are you thinking as you head off to prison today?” Lickiss’s answer was a curt “Go away,” followed by a flustered exchange about personal space that seemed oddly out of place in a public courthouse. The moment underscored how detached the defendant appeared from the very people he had betrayed.

During the sentencing hearing, dozens of victims sat side‑by‑side, listening as Lickiss read a prepared apology. “I’m terribly, terribly, horribly sorry and totally at fault,” he said, his voice barely rising above a whisper. For many, those words rang hollow after years of losing savings, watching homes get foreclosed, and watching personal dreams crumble.

One of the victims, Caroline Jones, recalled the slick pitch: “He’s a con man. He tells you exactly what you want to hear.” Another, Susan Wilburn, summed up the community’s shock: “It’s amazing that a man you trusted for decades, someone you talked to about God and family, could do something like this.”

The indictment revealed that Lickiss sold “nonexistent bonds,” using fresh investments to pay off earlier investors—a textbook Ponzi scheme. He then funneled the money into cash withdrawals, home renovations, travel, car payments, mortgages and credit‑card bills—essentially financing his own lifestyle at the expense of others.

Victim impact statements played a pivotal role in the judge’s decision. Jennifer Craven expressed relief: “I would love that he would get more, but I’m happy with nine years. The judge was very fair.” Terrie Wilson added, “Our statements helped secure this unprecedented sentence. I’m very, very happy about it.”

Despite a last‑minute request from Lickiss’s attorney to allow him to spend Christmas at home before reporting to prison, the judge denied the plea, insisting he report to federal custody on October 30. The decision left Lickiss speechless as he left the courtroom, his future now unmistakably marked by steel bars.

For the community of Danville and the surrounding Bay Area, the sentencing offers a sliver of closure, though the financial wounds will take years to heal. The case stands as a stark reminder that even trusted advisers can betray the confidence placed in them, and that vigilance is essential when money and faith intertwine.