Arizona man indicted for stealing over $2.4 million from federal health insurance, retirement plan
James Campbell is accused of stealing over $2.4 million meant to pay for a health and retirement benefit plan for employees of federal contractors.
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 20: The Department of Justice building is seen on July 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Attorney General Pam Bondi has asked a federal judge to unseal grand jury testimony used in the prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell. (Photo by Eric Lee/Getty Images)
(Photo by Eric Lee/Getty Images)
PHOENIX — A Scottsdale man was indicted for allegedly stealing more than $2.4 million from a federal health insurance and retirement benefit plan, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
James Vincent Campbell, 47, was charged with 11 counts of money laundering and a charge of stealing from an Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) benefit plan, according to a DOJ announcement from earlier this month.
Campbell is the CEO and founder of Axim Fringe Solutions Group, which processes benefits for employees of government contractors.
The company worked as a middleman, charging a fee to government contractors, which then would be forwarded to insurance carriers and 401(k) retirement accounts, according to the DOJ.
Details on alleged theft from federal benefit plans
However, before sending the funds, the department said Campbell would pool the fees Axim received into one account, from which he allegedly stole $2,486,905.
According to the DOJ, between 2015 and 2024, Campbell made 135 unauthorized withdrawals from the account.
He allegedly used much of the money to pay for big game hunting trips, taxidermy fees, jewelry, gambling and direct payments to his girlfriend.
If convicted, Campbell faces a maximum of 115 years in prison (10 years for each money laundering count and five years for the theft count).
Previous investigation into misuse of federal benefit plan funds
This is not the first time that Campbell and his company have come under investigation by the federal government for allegedly misusing ERISA funds.
In 2024, Campbell and Axim’s then-director of compliance accounting, Melissa McManes, were accused by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) of misappropriating more than $5 million meant to pay for benefits and instead using it to pay for operating expenses for Axim.
The DOL said that this led to health insurance payment premiums being delayed and some insurance companies issuing late payment notices.
The company was ultimately ordered to pay back $4.4 million to the retirement accounts, according to the DOL. Both Campbell and McManes were banned from being a fiduciary for ERISA plans.
McManes is no longer listed as an employee on Axim’s website.
Related
Wide-ranging indictment handed down in Valley organized retail theft case
19-year-old father indicted for murder, child abuse after death of 6-week-old son in Mesa
Man indicted for leading police on chase where speeds reached more than 100 mph
Attorney for family of hospitalized ASU hockey player demands ‘accountability’ from university
Public asked to avoid area after shooting involving Mesa police in Chandler
Election denial, voter ID dominate combative Arizona secretary of state debate
Comments
3 Comments
"... and direct payments to his girlfriend.
Let me guess, probably a 20-something, enhanced Scottsdale party girl. Hope she was worth it, cuz ... money gone .. she gone.
Go big or go home.
"big game hunting trips, taxidermy fees, jewelry, gambling, and direct payments to his girlfriend"
It was fun while it lasted. See you when you get out of the pokey in the year 2140.