It happened more than 17 years ago and now that my children are grown and I've remarried, it’s time for the full story. Things I’ve never revealed. I share it ALL now with the hope that I might help others avoid a nightmare like the one that became my unexpected life. And to help those living an unexpected life create lives of love, resilience and unspeakable joy—finding strength through the unexpected.
Learn all about it here, and on Instragram, TikTok and YouTube: “So I Married a Ponzi Schemer.”
It was the worst nightmare I could never have imagined. Only it wasn’t a dream. I had been unexpectedly thrust into a living nightmare. And it was my real and actual life.
I had gone to sleep believing I was worth $10,000,000 and woke up the next morning to discover everything was gone. All of my assets—my home, cars, furnishings, possessions, savings, investments, everything of value—was frozen; scheduled for seizure by the federal government. And the FBI and US Marshalls were heading my way.
In that dark and terrible moment I learned that my husband, the man who for almost 20 years had been making all of my dreams (and more!) come true, had been living a double life of secrets and lies, fraud and crime; that the man I had loved and supported, talked and laughed with, slept next to and had four children with, was a sociopath: “The Mormon Madoff.”
Rob Barnett, a US Postal Inspector who investigated and testified at the trial stated, "Was Andrea Merriman part of the scheme? That was one of the first questions we had and the first question we looked into and there was nothing anywhere that indicates she knew what was going on".
Homeless, jobless, penniless, under scrutiny by the press and what felt like the entire world, investigated by the FBI, facing animosity from family, neighbors, friends, and strangers, and with almost no one to turn to (even my parents were dead), I was thrust into the deepest, darkest, blackest pit. I could see no way out.
Terrifying to a degree I can’t find words for. Horrifying. Humiliating. Devastating—to me, my children, and his many “clients” now victims. Decades of lies. Crime. Divorce. Prison. So much loss. And eventually, overcoming. You know what they say: “There’s nothing as sweet as a comeback, when you are down and out, about to lose, and out of time.” (Anne Lamott)
The story of my life. Because I (unknowingly) was married to a criminal.
She survived a $20 million Ponzi scheme. He investigates them. Now they work together. Some partnerships are predictable. This one isn’t.
What are the odds that the ex-wife of a Ponzi schemer who unknowingly lived inside a $20 million lie would one day meet a fraud investigator, fall in love, and then join forces to help others protect their financial futures and rebuild after loss?
Yet that unlikely path led to something powerful. Together, Dave Neuenswander and Andrea Merriman bring two perspectives that almost never exist in the same room: The survivor. The investigator. One lived the devastation of financial fraud. The other spent a career uncovering it. Together, they help others recognize danger earlier, recover faster, and build stronger build stronger futures, personally and professionally.
Andrea Merriman earned a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Advertising, and a Master of Public Administration, at Brigham Young University. After 20 years of marriage and four children, her life imploded when she discovered her husband was running a $20 million Ponzi scheme. Surviving the crime, betrayal, and public scandal, she didn’t just recover — she rebuilt her life, career, and purpose, and now shares her story of faith and resilience to inspire others to do the same.
Andrea combines personal experience with professional expertise to empower individuals and organizations to overcome setbacks, build resilience, and achieve meaningful success. Professionally, she serves as a Career Director in higher education, has been adjunct faculty and an online instructor at multiple higher education institutions, and is a Gallup-certified Strengths Coach. A former president of the Utah Career Development Association and a resilience researcher for 40 years, she speaks internationally to Fortune 500 companies and a variety of organizations, sharing insights on ethics, integrity, leadership, resilience, and personal and professional transformation.
David Neuenswander brings over four decades of experience in the financial services industry, combining deep expertise in investments, asset management, and multi-asset portfolio management with a passion for fraud prevention and professional development. As a Leadership Principal, he has focused on managing global macroeconomic risk, developing lasting client relationships, and collaborating across organizations to meet complex financial objectives.
His career spans private markets, institutional sales, and marketing, giving him a well-rounded perspective on the financial industry. One of Dave’s most fulfilling roles has been mentoring and guiding financial professionals — helping them prepare for careers, navigate opportunities, and succeed in full-time positions.
As a fraud investigator and trusted advisor, Dave leverages his 40 years of industry experience to provide actionable insights, risk management strategies, and expert guidance through Fraud Talk. His unique combination of technical expertise, strategic vision, and mentorship makes him an invaluable resource for clients and colleagues alike. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Utah and a Master of Business Administration from Brigham Young University. He earned his Series 4, 6, 7, 8, 63, 65, 66, and insurance licenses.
Andrea and Dave share a mission to help people build financially secure, resilient, and informed lives. Having witnessed the devastating impact of financial fraud firsthand, they are committed to helping others avoid financial traps, recover after setbacks, make confident financial decisions, and build stable futures. One survived the unimaginable. One spent years uncovering it. Together, they use their unique perspectives to help others create smarter, safer futures.
