A multimillion-dollar investment scheme whose mastermind was sent to prison for 20 years has spawned a federal class-action lawsuit against a national brokerage firm.

The suit filed in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati this week blames Raymond James Financial Inc. for allegedly "encouraging" Jerry Ray "J.R." Rose of Hamilton in a Ponzi-type scheme that ensnared about 200 victims in a dozen states.

The suit was filed on behalf of two Rose investors who live in Florida: Jesse S. Venable, who invested $1.1 million with Rose, and Paul J. Richter, who invested $853,000. But the suit says it could represent all similarly situated victims.

Meanwhile, a Columbus law firm, David P. Meyer & Associates, said Friday it is moving forward with a similar lawsuit against Raymond James on behalf of about 100 victims. That suit is planned in a state court but would not seek class-action status.

The Venable-Richter suit says Rose "illegally pooled" investors' money into an account with Raymond James.

The investment house was "fully aware of Rose's unlawful actions," the suit says, and "Raymond James assured Rose that the transactions were lawful and encouraged Rose to continue the transactions."

Raymond James filed court papers denying the allegations. Rose, who ran a legitimate Fairfield insurance agency but was not licensed as a financial adviser, has been ordered to repay victims $17.7 million. But victims are likely to recover only a fraction of that amount, officials say.

Efforts to recover Rose's assets and distribute money to his victims could take several more months.