A Clayton man charged in a $40  million Ponzi scheme pled guilty to his role in the scheme today in Charlotte.

Bryan Keith Coats pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit commodities, securities and wire fraud and one count of promotional money laundering conspiracy.

A sentencing date has not been set. Coats faces up 15 years in prison and a $500,000 fine, or up to twice the amount of property he derived from the money-laundering conspiracy.

A plea hearing for a Clayton businessman accused of receiving funds from an alleged $40 million Ponzi scheme has been delayed.

Bryan Coats hearing in Charlotte has been delayed until Oct. 24, his attorney, S. Frederick Winiker III of Charlotte, said in an email. The hearing had been scheduled to occur Wednesday.

Coats had his assets frozen in February after he and his companies - Genesis Wealth Management, Coats Estate Planning Services and Coats Wealth Management - were named in a complaint filed by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

He is charged with investment fraud and money laundering and could face up to 15 years in jail.