California Attorney General Jerry Brown filed a securities fraud lawsuit on Tuesday against Beverly Hills investment adviser Stanley Chais, accusing him of funneling hundreds of millions of dollars into Bernard Madoff's fraudulent funds.

Chais made more than $270 million in fees, charged 25 percent fees on profits and claimed to make 20 percent to 25 percent returns on investments, Brown's office said, calling him a 'middleman' for Madoff.

The lawsuit seeks at least $25 million in civil penalties and an injunction against Chais.

(Reporting by Peter Henderson)

California Jerry Brown