Peregrine receiver can identify, secure Wasendorf assets

The receiver for Peregrine Financial Group Inc., hired on request of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission that is investigating missing customer money, was given wide authority by a judge to identify and secure assets of Russell Wasendorf Sr. or his companies.

The receiver may hire Robert Thompson, head pilot of Wasendorf Air LLC, and Cindy Zubak, manager of the restaurant My Verona LLC, paying them hourly rates equal to their current salaries divided by 2,000, according to a filing in federal court in Illinois.