As painful as this wait will be for Spangler investors, this is an average length of time and a decent rate of (recovery). Robert P. Gray, partner in the forensic litigation group at ParenteBeard, an accounting and advisory firm, said investors with the best chance of recovering money were the ones who had kept detailed records — (assuming) those records were not (fabricated).

    “When the wheels come off the car, it’s going to be a lot more difficult to go out and get the documentation and (figure) out what you can go after,” he said.

   In these cases, a good lawyer can also help you find out if there are other assets to go after, said Stan Twardy, a partner at Day Pitney and a former United States attorney for Connecticut. “Were there other people out there? Were there aiders and abettors? Is there (insurance) out there?” Mr. Twardy asked. “That’s where a good lawyer could make sure all potential pockets are explored.”

   Chances are those (pockets) are not going to be as deep as investors hope.