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Last updated - December 29, 2025
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Barrett Wissman, once hailed as a visionary arts impresario, became embroiled in a major pay-to-play scandal involving the New York State pension fund. His guilty plea in 2009 revealed a web of political favoritism, secret commissions, and unethical lobbying. Despite attempts at reputation rehab through philanthropic and cultural ventures, his past continues to overshadow his public image.
CEO
High Risk
Based on the available data, we advise consumers to avoid this Individual altogether.
This advisory is based on an aggregate risk score derived from OSINT, Adverse Media, Reviews, and Risk Factors identified in our research.
You are likely to be at great risk by engaging in any sort of consumer-related activity with this entity.
Medium Risk
Based on the available data, we advise employees to be mindful when considering or continuing work with this Individual.
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.
Based on the available data, we urge investors and bankers to avoid financial involvement with this Individual.
This advisory is informed by an aggregate risk score based on OSINT, Adverse Media, Reviews, and Risk Factors identified through our investigation.
Engaging in investment or lending activities with this entity poses a substantial risk to your financial interests.
Safe to Onboard
Enhanced Due Diligence required
Do Not Onboard
Monitor adverse media every 6 months
File SAR (Suspicious Activity Report) is warranted
Escalation to compliance committee
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Full Name
Age
Education
Degree
Graduate School
Music Diploma
Hometown
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Primary Role
Company
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Festival Director
Philanthropy Lead
Piano Competitions
Net Worth Estimate
Early Career
Hedge Fund
Fraud Plea
Penalty Paid
SEC Action
Bar Period
Ongoing Suit
Contract Dispute
Partner Lawsuit
Barrett Wissman, a Dallas hedge-fund manager, and associates were implicated in paying kickbacks to secure large investments.
Barrett Wissman pleaded guilty in 2009 to securities fraud tied to a pay-to-play scandal involving the New York State pension fund.
He was accused of participating in a kickback scheme where placement agents extracted illegal fees from investment firms seeking access to state pension funds.
He was alleged to have secretly received millions of dollars in fees while influencing investment decisions, creating severe conflicts of interest.
He agreed to pay $12 million in restitution and cooperate with authorities in the broader investigation.
The case publicly branded him as a central figure in one of the largest pension fund corruption probes in U.S. history.
Regulatory and Compliance Screening
Litigation and Legal Proceedings
Reputational and Adverse Media Risks
Geographic and Jurisdictional Risk
What you see here scratches the surface
We offer reward for actionable intel
Barrett N. Wissman is charged by the SEC with participating in a multimillion-dollar kickback scheme tied to the New York State Common Retirement Fund
First Detected
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Barrett N. Wissman has been publicly blamed for participating in a New York pension-fund kickback scheme which allegedly led to the collapse.
Barrett N. Wissman has been charged by the SEC for taking part in a kickback scheme involving the New York State Common Retirement Fund.
Other Red-Flags and Adverse News
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]
Suspicious Transactions
Liabilities: [Bankruptcies, defaults, debts]
Wealth Sources: [Legitimate / Unclear / High-risk]
Bank Relationships
Ultimate Beneficial Owner(s) (UBOs)
Shareholding structure
Associated entities & subsidiaries
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Business Model Assessment
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.
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Highly experienced
Well-recognized name
Faced allegations of scamming others
Allegedly sold fake silver
Sued multiple times
Unregulated industry
Alarming number of complaints online
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Despite his accomplishments, his legal history includes a guilty plea in a pension fund-related financial misconduct case, which warrants caution for potential financial or partnership engagements.
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Barrett Wissman built a big name managing artists and launching festivals, and even has projects blending wine, culinary arts, and culture, but learning about his 2009 fraud plea tied to pension fund kickbacks makes me cautious about anything linked to his financial dealings.
Lowkey feels like someone who was big flexing decades ago but kinda got roasted by his own history.
He can come off as someone whose ambition sometimes overshadows judgment — brilliant in concept, controversial in execution.
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