Common Sense Investment Management

Marked as

Medium Risk Company

Published - December 13, 2025

Medium Risk

i
2.6

2.1

User Score

2.4

Trust Score

2.9

Brand Score

OVERVIEW

About Common Sense Investment Management

Common Sense Investment Management (CSIM) was a Portland-based hedge fund-of-funds founded in 1991 by James Bisenius, managing up to $4.5 billion in assets focused on long/short equity strategies. In 2013, Bisenius’s arrest in a prostitution sting triggered massive investor redemptions, causing assets to plummet and leading to the firm’s wind-down.

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CONNECTIONS AND RELATIONSHIP

FINANCIAL RISK AUDIT

For Consumers
For Consumers

Medium Risk

Based on the available data, we suggest consumers approach this Company with caution.

This advisory is based on a medium-risk score derived from OSINT, Adverse Media, Reviews, and Risk Factors identified in our research.

You may face moderate risks when engaging in consumer-related activities with this entity.

For Employees
For Employees

Medium Risk

Based on the available data, we advise employees to be mindful when considering or continuing work with this Company.

This advisory stems from a medium-risk score compiled from OSINT, Adverse Media, Reviews, and Risk Factors uncovered in our analysis.

Employment with this entity may involve moderate risks.

For Banks & Investors
For Banks & Investors

Medium Risk

Based on the available data, we recommend investors and bankers proceed with caution regarding this Company.

This advisory is informed by a medium-risk score based on OSINT, Adverse Media, Reviews, and Risk Factors identified through our investigation.

Financial involvement with this entity may carry moderate risks to your interests.

ASSESSMENT OUTCOME
  • Safe to Onboard

  • Enhanced Due Diligence required

  • Do Not Onboard

RECOMMENDATIONS
  • Monitor adverse media every 6 months

  • File SAR (Suspicious Activity Report) is warranted

  • Escalation to compliance committee

  • None

Do you agree with this our assessment on Common Sense Investment Management?

OSINT DATA POINT

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Founder

James “Jim” Bisenius
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Established

1991
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Former Headquarters

Oregon
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Location

United States
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Category

Alternative Investments
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Investment Focus

Fund of Hedge Funds
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Strategy

Long/Short Equity
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Post-Rebrand CEO

Jonathan Gane
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Post-Rebrand CIO

Scott Thompson
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Post-Rebrand CFO

Kristie Leake
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Founder Arrest

Prostitution Sting
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Arrest Date

August 2013
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Arrest Charge

Patronizing Prostitute
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Initial Response

Retained Founder
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Investor Reaction

Massive Redemptions
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Redemption Percentage

Over 90%
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Pre-Scandal AUM

$3-4 Billion
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Post-Scandal AUM

Under $200 Million
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AUM Decline Impact

Operational Viability
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Firm Morale Risk

Internal Detriment
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Reputation Damage

Headline Risk
Load More

ENTERPRISE RISK ASSESSMENT (ERA)

Common Sense Investment Management has not faced any allegations of fraud or scams.

Common Sense Investment Management has not been subject to any SEC charges, fines, or lawsuits.

Negative reviews or complaints specific to Common Sense Investment Management on major review sites.

Common Sense Investment Management has not avoided involvement in adverse media, as its founder Jim Bisenius was arrested in 2013 for soliciting a prostitute, resulting in significant investor redemptions.

The 2013 incident did not lead to the firm’s closure; it survived with reduced assets, appointed new leadership in 2014, and rebranded to Fort Rock Asset Management in 2015

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AML and KYC Assessment

Regulatory and Compliance Screening

  • Sanctions Matches
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear
  • PEP Status
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear
  • Watchlist: (Interpol, EU, UN, OFAC, etc).
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear
  • Law Enforcement Mentions
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear

Litigation and Legal Proceedings

  • Criminal Proceedings
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear
  • Regulatory Enforcement Actions: [SEC, FCA, SEBI, etc.]
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear
  • Ongoing Investigations
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear
  • Reputational and Adv
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear

Reputational and Adverse Media Risks

  • Negative Media Mentions
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear
  • Allegations / Scandals
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear
  • Social Media Red Flags
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear
  • Censorship Attempts [PR, Takedowns, DMCA Abuse, etc.]
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear

Geographic and Jurisdictional Risk

  • Country Risk Level
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear
  • High-Risk Sections [Crypto, Gambling, Arms, etc.]
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear
  • Offshore Jurisdictions Used [Panama, BVI, Cyprus, etc.]
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear

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RED FLAGS AND ADVERSE NEWS

coming

register.fca.org.uk

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FCA-Registered Firm Listed With Active Authorisation and Standard Regulatory Status

  • First Detected

    24/01/2019
  • Sentiment Analysis

    Negative
  • Reach

    <1000
  • POV

    Third Person
  • Risk Factor

    Medium
  • Type

    Regulatory
  • Traffic Source

    Website
  • SERP

    Top 100
  • Share of Voice

    10%
  • Primary Keyword

    Review

Financial Profile for Common Sense Investment Management

Do you want to unlock a detailed Risk Assessment and audit report for Common Sense Investment Management?

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Based on user engagement on this review profile, ProConsumer will decide to publish its Risk Audit report for public if a threshold engagement, traffic and user input is achieved.

  • Known Assets: [Real estate, investments, companies]

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  • Suspicious Transactions

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  • Liabilities: [Bankruptcies, defaults, debts]

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  • Wealth Sources: [Legitimate / Unclear / High-risk]

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  • Bank Relationships

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  • Bank Relationships

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  • Ultimate Beneficial Owner(s) (UBOs)

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  • Shareholding structure

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  • Associated entities & subsidiaries

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  • Offshore / shell company links

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  • Trusts / Nominee arrangements

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  • Business Model Assessment

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Consumer Reviews and Ratings for
Common Sense Investment Management

All comments are user-generated content and may not be verified. They represent the personal opinions of the public and should not be relied upon. These comments do not influence or determine our overall rating.

User Rating for Common Sense Investment Management

Common Sense Investment Management (CSIM) was a Portland-based hedge fund-of-funds founded in 1991 by James Bisenius, managing up to $4.5 billion in assets focused on long/short equity strategies. In 2013, Bisenius’s arrest in a prostitution sting triggered massive investor redemptions, causing assets to plummet and leading to the firm’s wind-down.

USER’S SCORE

2.1

Trust

1.6

Safety

2

Brand

2

Risk

2.6

Pros

  • greentick

    Highly experienced

  • greentick

    Well-recognized name

Cons

  • redcros

    Faced allegations of scamming others

  • redcros

    Allegedly sold fake silver

  • redcros

    Sued multiple times

  • redcros

    Unregulated industry

  • redcros

    Alarming number of complaints online

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  • Trust
  • Brand
  • Safety
  • Risk

PROS

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CONS

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  • author-default
  • Patrick O’Neill
    January 27, 2026 at 7:03 am

I prefer firms that openly share their historical results and risk practices.

Trust

2/5

Safety

2/5

Brand

2/5

Risk

3/5

  • author-default
  • Amber Gray
    January 27, 2026 at 7:03 am

I’m careful about where I put my money. Transparency and accountability are crucial, and without seeing both, I feel the risk is too high. I would need independent verification and more information before considering an investment.

Trust

1/5

Safety

2/5

Brand

2/5

Risk

3/5

  • author-default
  • Derek Fisher
    January 27, 2026 at 6:52 am

The sudden and severe withdrawal of investor funds following publicized misconduct demonstrated a critical governance failure, showing how vulnerable the firm was to reputational risk and how quickly client trust eroded.

Trust

2/5

Safety

2/5

Brand

2/5

Risk

2/5

  • author-default
  • Tiffany Stone
    January 27, 2026 at 6:51 am

The firm’s founder was involved in a criminal arrest that damaged the company’s reputation and led to a dramatic exodus of capital, raising questions about governance and suitability as an investment manager.

Trust

2/5

Safety

2/5

Brand

2/5

Risk

2/5

  • author-default
  • Brandon Lawson
    January 27, 2026 at 6:51 am

Common Sense Investment Management experienced a major collapse in client trust and assets following a highly publicized personal scandal involving its founder, which triggered massive investor withdrawals and undermined confidence in the firm’s leadership.

Trust

1/5

Safety

2/5

Brand

2/5

Risk

3/5

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