Powell collected nearly $2 million from would-be investors, according to the SEC. In December 2017 alone, she received about $18,000 and spent half on credit card payments, store goods, insurance, utilities, fuel and parking costs.

McLean collected more than $250,000, transferred about

$40,000 to accounts controlled by Powell, and spent thousands of dollars on personal expenses such as food and store goods.

The siblings consented to sanctions in March and the SEC disclosed the agreement in a May 9 press release.

Without admitting or denying wrongdoing, Powell and McLean agreed to court orders permanently restraining them from violating SEC regulations and from acting as an officer or director of any company that issues registered securities.

They agreed to disgorge all ill-gotten gains and to pay civil penalties, in amounts to be determined by the court.