Hedge-fund fraudster kills himself in jail

A man facing up to 710 years in jail after being convicted in a multimillion dollar investment fraud whose victims included professional American football players has taken his life.

Investigator Betty Honey of the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office in Georgia said Kirk Wright hanged himself in the Union City jail.

Wright was convicted last Wednesday of leading an investment scheme that took millions of dollars from clients ranging from National Football League players to his mother.

Wright faced as much as 710 years in prison and a fine of up to $16m (€10.1m).

He already had been hit with a $20m (€12.7m) judgement as part of a civil lawsuit filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Honey said no foul play is suspected.