Suspect in federal fraud case found dead in hotel room

Saturday, March 21, 1998 | 11:18 a.m.

"They do believe it to be a suicide," North Las Vegas police Lt. Chris Larotonda said.

The body of James Greenbaum, 46, showed no outward signs of trauma when it was found Thursday at the Fiesta, he said.

An autopsy was planned, but police said toxicology tests also would be needed to determine the cause of death.

Greenbaum, who was married and had seven children, was scheduled to appear Thursday with Las Vegas accountant Jeffrey Jolcover, 43, in U.S. District Court.

Jolcover pleaded guilty to conspiracy and money-laundering charges for his role in defrauding investors across the country out of an estimated $35 million. Greenbaum never showed up.

The charges stemmed from the sale of interests in wireless cable television ventures from 1990 to 1995. Most of the funds from defrauded investors were obtained through the sale of interests in cable systems in Texas, Nebraska, Alabama and Wisconsin, according to court documents.

The victims, including some Nevada investors, have received no return on their investments, and they're unlikely to do so, federal prosecutors said.

Greenbaum had been involved for many years in businesses that offered and sold investments, including commodities and securities, to the public. He previously was the subject of various federal and state regulatory probes.

His lawyer, Daniel Albregts, declined comment on his client's death or the criminal case.