Trusted Self Directed IRA Providers?

[Ryan B.]

I'm thinking about moving funds from a traditional IRA to a self directed IRA to be used for real estate. It seems to me that the returns in the stock market for the next few years could underperform, as is historically true at the current P/E.

Can anyone recommend a trustworthy SDIRA provider? I think back to the Ponzi Schemes we have seen from 1031 Exchange companies over the years and I just think to myself: man it would be EVEN EASIER to run a Ponzi with a SDIRA company. SDIRA funds are not as ephemeral as a 1031 exchange company which only holds them for a short period. 

Which leads me to the question of trust. Who is auditing these SDIRA companies to make sure they aren't dipping into client funds illegally? Which company could be trusted.

Further, with an SDIRA there's significant specialized knowledge necessary to remain on the right side of the tax law: self-dealings, taxes on leveraged investments in SD ROTH, etc. Which providers can act as partners and help clients clear these hurdles.

Lastly, and this should probably be a different post, but anyone doing a 72T on an SDIRA to pull out REI cash flow penalty free before retirement age?