U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayles gave final approval to a $150 million settlement from Raymond James Inc., allowing a receiver to start paying back victims of the Jay Peak investor fraud.

Friday's order benefits immigrant investors who put funds into a Vermont ski resort and surrounding projects in an effort to secure a green card by creating jobs through the EB-5 investment program. Instead, the funds were misused by Jay Peak's owners, the Securities and Exchange Commission claims.

By July 19, receiver Michael Goldberg of Akerman in Fort Lauderdale will have $91 million to distribute, including $67 million for those who invested in a biomedical facility that won't be completed. Nearly $20 million will go to construction of the Stateside Hotel, and the remaining funds will pay debts owed to suppliers for two hotel projects.