Actor Larry Wilcox in ANZ anti-scam campaign was convicted of pension fund fraud in Florida, bank says he has learned his lesson

CHiPs actors Erik Estrada (L) and Larry Wilcox. ANZ says the pair engage in charity work together and Wilcox voiced remorse about a securities fraud the FBI caught him in. Photo / Daniel Knighton, FilmMagic via Getty Images

An actor starring in ANZ’s anti-scam campaign was convicted for pension fund fraud after an FBI sting.

So, is CHiPs star Larry Wilcox’s presence in the campaign a case of poacher turned gamekeeper?

“We’re aware of the historical case involving Larry Wilcox,” an ANZ spokeswoman said today.

“He pleaded guilty to the charge, was sentenced to probation and expressed remorse.

“Since the charge he continued to work as an actor and still does charity work with co-star Erik Estrada,” she added.

“These historical matters don’t detract from the intent of the campaign, which is to raise awareness around scams.”

Wilcox was “back from the streets of LA to make New Zealand more aware,” according to the CHiPs campaign for ANZ and Age Concern.

He played Officer Jon Baker in the CHiPs TV series from 1977 to 1982, alongside Estrada as Officer Frank Poncherello.

The new campaign tells viewers: “This year, ride along with Ponch and Jon as they help put the nation on patrol.”

Wilcox was sentenced to three years’ probation on a securities fraud conviction in 2011.

Age Concern and ANZ have teamed up for a new campaign aimed at older Kiwis starring Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox who acted in CHiPs.

He and others tried to make illegal kickback payments to a pension fund fiduciary to misuse investor money.

The aim was then to buy worthless or overvalued shares of his public company’s common stock, the FBI said in a 2010 press release.

Wilcox faced up to five years in prison, Florida FBI agents said at the time.

“The plan failed when Wilcox found himself dealing with undercover FBI agents, instead of corrupt pension fund managers.”

Wilcox was sentenced to three years’ probation.

“I betrayed my core values with what I did. I am deeply sorry,” he said outside court, according to CBS.

US District Court Judge James Cohn acknowledged Wilcox was remorseful, according to news reports from the time.

Wilcox was involved in kickback operations run by small-company stock promoters.

The small companies were known colloquially in the US as penny stocks.

The new ANZ campaign aimed to educate people about unsolicited phone calls, scam emails, fake dating app profiles, texts from delivery companies, and other cons.