SEC v. Progressive Energy Partners, LLC; Jerry L. Aubrey; Timothy J. Aubrey; Brian S. Cherry; and Aaron M. Glasser, Central District of California (Oct. 11, 2011) — Complaint
raw: Progressive Energy Partners, LLC ("PEP"), Jerry L. Aubrey,
Progressive Energy Partners, LLC ("PEP"), Jerry L. Aubrey, (Oct. 11, 2011)
Jerry L. Aubrey, Timothy J. Aubrey, Brian S. Cherry, and Aaron M. Glasser orchestrated an $11 million Ponzi scheme through Progressive Energy Partners, LLC, deceiving over 200 investors by falsely promising over 50% annual returns and concealing that 35% of funds paid undisclosed commissions, leading to SEC charges and a request for disgorgement, penalties, and injunctions.
The SEC charged Jerry L. Aubrey, Timothy J. Aubrey, Brian S. Cherry, and Aaron M. Glasser with defrauding more than 200 investors of $11 million through unregistered securities offerings by Progressive Energy Partners, LLC, falsely claiming the funds would develop oil and gas wells. In reality, the defendants misappropriated millions for personal luxuries—including vacations, luxury sports tickets, and attorney fees—and used new investor funds to pay fake returns in a Ponzi scheme, while concealing that up to 35% of investments funded undisclosed sales commissions. The defendants violated Sections 17(a) and 10(b) of the Securities Act and Section 15(a) of the Exchange Act by operating as unregistered broker-dealers and making material misrepresentations with scienter.
Jerry L. Aubrey, Timothy J. Aubrey, Brian S. Cherry, and Aaron M. Glasser orchestrated an $11 million boiler room fraud through Progressive Energy Partners, LLC (PEP), targeting over 200 investors nationwide and in Canada between September 2005 and December 2009. The defendants falsely promised investors annual returns exceeding 50%, claiming funds would finance oil and gas development, when in fact only $887,458 went to actual projects and the rest was siphoned off for personal luxuries, including Lakers box seats, trips to Hawaii and Las Vegas, homes, cars, and legal fees. They concealed that up to 35% of investor contributions paid undisclosed sales commissions and falsely claimed PEP used an independent accounting firm to manage distributions. Jerry Aubrey, a repeat offender previously convicted of securities fraud and permanently enjoined by the SEC in 1999, led the scheme by creating fraudulent marketing materials and misleading investors with false claims of CPA oversight. Cherry and Glasser acted as unregistered brokers using high-pressure cold-calling tactics, while Timothy Aubrey helped manage operations and fund transfers. The SEC alleges violations of Sections 17(a) and 10(b) of the Securities Act and Section 15(a) of the Exchange Act and seeks permanent injunctions, disgorgement with prejudgment interest, civil penalties, and a lifetime ban on Jerry Aubrey from future securities offerings.
Extracted insights
- $11.00M $11 million $10M–$100M
- $5.80M $5,795,923 $1M–$10M
- $4.55M $4,549,905 $1M–$10M
- $3.20M $3.2 million $1M–$10M
- $2.70M $2.7 million $1M–$10M
- $2.67M $2,674,985 $1M–$10M
- $2.20M $2.2 million $1M–$10M
- $2.00M $2,000,000 $1M–$10M
- $2.00M $2 million $1M–$10M
- $1.96M $1,962,500 $1M–$10M
- $1.80M $1,800,000 $1M–$10M
- $1.50M $1,500,000 $1M–$10M
- agency Securities and Exchange Commission
- organization Securities and Exchange Commission
- Progressive Energy Partners, LLC conducted an $11 million boiler room fraud that victimized more than 200 investors
- PEP fraudulently offered and sold its securities to investors nationwide and in Canada through unregistered offerings
- The Defendants claimed the investors' money would be used to develop and support oil and gas wells
- The bulk of the money was used to line the Defendants' pockets, fund lavish lifestyles, and make Ponzi-like payments
- Jerry Aubrey used PEP to run a Ponzi scheme by paying alleged investor returns with money raised from new investors
- Tim Aubrey helped his brother manage PEP
- Jerry and Tim Aubrey misappropriated investor funds for their personal use to pay for box seats at Lakers games, trips to Hawaii and Las Vegas, and personal attorney's fees
- Jerry Aubrey, Tim Aubrey, Brian Cherry, and Aaron Glasser misrepresented to investors they could expect a greater than 50% annual return on their investment
- The Defendants failed to disclose to investors that up to 35% of their investment would be used to pay sales commissions
- The Defendants falsely represented to investors that PEP used an accounting firm to assist with investor distributions
- The Defendants have violated the registration, antifraud, and broker-dealer registration provisions of the federal securities laws
- Securities and Exchange Commission seeks permanent injunctions, disgorgement with prejudgment interest, and civil penalties
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 -' MOLLY M. WlllTE (Cal. Bar No. 171448) Email: whitem(CV,sec.gov ,--'j ""-, ... ,..J JENNIFER T. PlJRPERO (Cal. Bar No. 247976) r';;·' c~ Email: [email protected] Attorneys for Plaintiff >. ~-.' -1 Securities and Exchange Commission Rosalind R. Tyson, Regional Director ._' , -,..\ -., :t::"-'=' John M. McCoy III, Associate Regional Director c "tl -:.) ........:.:.. 5670 Wilshire Boulevard, 11th Floor ~:~ '2 Los Angeles, California 90036 ,-' N Telephone: (323} 965-3998 ';:.D c.n FacsImile: (323) 965-3908 4 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA SOUTHERN DIVISION Case No. <;;AeV {\-ISLe I-{ u v $. (!2-NV/~') COMMISSION, COMPLAINT Plaintiff, vs. JERRYL.AUBREY, TIMOTHY J. AUBREY, BRIAN S. CHERRY, AARON M. GLASSER, Defendants. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 1. Progressive Energy Partners, LLC ("PEP"), Jerry L. Aubrey, Timothy J. Aubrey, Brian S. Cherry, and Aaron M. Glasser conducted an $11 million boiler room fraud that victimized more than 200 investors. From approximately September 2005 to December 2009, PEP fraudulently offered and sold its securities to investors nationwide and in Canada through unregistered offerings. The Defendants claimed the investors' money would be used to develop and support oil and gas wells. In fact, the bulk ofthe money was used to line the Defendants' pockets, fund lavish lifestyles, and make Ponzi-like payments intended to perpetuate the fraud. 2. Jerry Aubrey, PEP's principal, used PEP to run a Ponzi scheme by paying alleged investor returns with money raised from new investors. Tim Aubrey played a key role in the fraud by helping his brother manage PEP. Both Jerry and Tim Aubrey misappropriated investor funds for their personal use to pay for, among other things, box seats at Lakers basketball games, trips to Hawaii and Las Vegas, and personal attorney's fees, as well as taking direct distributions by cash or check. In carrying out the fraud, Jerry Aubrey, Tim Aubrey, Brian Cherry, and Aaron Glasser (collectively, the "Defendants"): 1) misrepresented to investors they could expect a greater than 50% annual return on their investment; 2) failed to disclose to investors that up to 35% oftheir investment would be used to pay sales commissions; and 3) falsely represented to investors that PEP used an accounting firm to assist with investor distributions. 3. The Defendants, by engaging in the conduct described in this complaint, have violated, and unless enjoined will continue to violate, the registration, antifraud, and broker-dealer registration provisions ofthe federal securities laws. By this action, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") seeks permanent injunctions, disgorgement with prejudgment interest, and civil penalties. 1 III 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 JURISDICTION AND VENUE 4. This Court has jurisdiction over this action pursuant to Sections 20(b), 20(d)(l) and 22(a) ofthe Securities Act of 1933 ("Securities Act"), 15 U.S.C. §§ 77t(b), 77t(d)(l), & 77v(a), and Sections 21(d)(l), 21(d)(3)(A), 21(e), and 27 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act"), 15 U.S.C. §§ 78u(d)(l), 78u(d)(3)(A), 78u(e), & 78aa. The Defendants have, directly or indirectly, made use ofthe means or instrumentalities of interstate commerce, of the mails, or ofthe facilities of a national securities exchange in connection with the transactions, acts, practices and courses ofbusiness alleged in this Complaint. 5. Venue is proper in this district pursuant to Section 22(a) ofthe Securities Act, 15 U.S.C. § 77v(a), and Section 27 ofthe Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78aa, because certain ofthe transactions, acts, practices, and courses of conduct constituting violations ofthe federal securities laws occurred within this district, and most ofthe Defendants reside or are located in this district. DEFENDANTS 6. Jerry L. Aubrey, of Moreno Valley, California, was PEP's founder, managing member, and a PEP salesperson. Jerry Aubrey operated PEP from about May 2005 to April 2010. He holds no securities licenses and has never been registered with the Commission in any capacity. 7. In April 2007, the Florida Attorney General's Office criminally charged Jerry Aubrey with securities fraud in connection with the offer and sale of security interests in a body scan imaging business that he operated from approximately December 2000 to October 2003. State ofFla. v. Aubrey, Case No. 07-31911CFAES (Fla. Volusia County Ct. 2007). In July 2010, he pled guilty to one count of securities or investment fraud in that matter. In October 2010, he was sentenced to five years in prison followed by 25 years probation, and he was ordered to pay $5,795,923 in restitution. Jerry Aubrey is currently serving his prison sentence in Florida and has not yet paid any restitution. 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 8. In August 1998, the Commission charged Jerry Aubrey with violating the broker-dealer registration provisions ofthe Exchange Act in connection with an offering fraud in which he sold securities in a fictitious cruise ship. SEC v. Todd, Case No. 98-6509 DT (JGX) (C.D. Cal. 1998). In March 1999, he was permanently enjoined from future violations of Section 15(a)(1) ofthe Exchange Act and was ordered to pay a $5,500 civil penalty. Many state securities agencies have obtained cease-and-desist orders against Jerry Aubrey for his involvement with PEP and other companies. 9. Timothy J. Aubrey, of Moreno Valley, California, is Jerry Aubrey's brother and was a PEP manager and salesperson. Tim Aubrey helped manage PEP and its salespeople from approximately May 2005 to December 2009. Tim Aubrey holds no securities licenses and has never been registered with the Commission in any capacity. 10. Brian S. Cherry ("Cherry"), ofNewport Beach, California, was a PEP salesperson from about September 2006 to January 2009. He holds no securities licenses and has never been registered with the Commission in any capacity. 11. Aaron M. Glasser ("Glasser"), of Costa Mesa, California, was a PEP salesperson from about August 2006 to October 2009. He holds Series 22 and 63 licenses. In May 2006, FINRA denied Glasser's registration because in 2002 he pled guilty to four counts of check forgery and in 2003 he pled guilty to one count ofpossession or sale ofa controlled substance. Glasser has never been registered with the Commission in any capacity. During the Commission's investigation, Glasser asserted his Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination. THE FRAUDULENT SCHEME 12. Jerry Aubrey masterminded and organized the scheme that he and the other Defendants conducted through PEP. He operated and managed PEP's boiler room operations from May 2005 through April 2010. His brother, Tim Aubrey, played a key role in orchestrating PEP's fraud. 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 13. From September 2005 through December 2009, PEP raised approximately $11 million from more than 200 investors nationwide and in Canada through five unregistered securities offerings of limited liability company ("LLC") interests (which were called "units" in PEP's Private Placement Memorandum, or "PPMs"). PEP's offerings were titled Progressive Energy Partners, LLC #1 through #5 ("PEP #1 through #5"). The Defendants sold units or partial units of $25,000 in the five offerings. The Defendants caused PEP to take in more money in most of its offerings than the PPMs permitted. The Defendants also sometimes extended the offering periods beyond what was stated in the PPMs. Some investors invested in multiple offerings. The money raised from each offering was supposed to be used to develop and support oil and gas wells. 14. PEP #1 offered $900,000 worth of units and raised $1,361,250 from September 2005 to October 2006 from 57 investors. PEP #2 offered $1,500,000 worth ofunits and raised $1,962,500 from October 2006 to March 2007 from 61 investors. PEP #3 offered $2,000,000 worth of units and raised $2,674,985 from March 2007 to October 2007 from 67 investors. PEP #4 offered $1,800,000 worth of units and raised $4,549,905 from October 2007 to April 2009 from 91 investors. PEP #5 offered $1,800,000 worth of units and raised $462,500 from May 2009 to December 2009 from 19 investors. Details of these offerings are summarized below: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 15. Jerry Aubrey prepared the offering and marketing materials (the "Offering Materials") that were mailed to potential investors for PEP #1 through #5. The Offering Materials for each offering included a cover letter, a PPM, an LLC agreement, a subscription agreement, a purchaser questionnaire, a bro~hure, and projection statements. The Offering Materials for the five different offerings were very similar, and the same brochure was used for all five offerings. A. Solicitation of Investors 16. To solicit investors, Jerry and Tim Aubrey established and operated a boiler room with 196 telephone lines. Jerry Aubrey bought an automatic dialer that cold called potential investors nationwide and in Canada. Tim Aubrey purchased lead lists with potential investors' phone numbers and loaded the lead lists onto the automatic dialer. The automatic dialer called the potential investors on the lead lists, and the potential investors heard a pre-recorded sales script when they answered the phone. Ifthe potential investors were interested in investing, they left a voice message on the automatic dialer. PEP salespeople called those potential investors who left a voice message. Tim Aubrey also purchased lead lists that PEP salespeople used to cold call potential investors. In addition, Jerry and Tim Aubrey personally cold called potential investors to solicit their investment. PEP also used a website (www.pepllc.net) to solicit investors. 17. PEP salespeople were called "fronters" and "closers." Tim Aubrey supervised the fronters, and Jerry Aubrey supervised the closers. Fronters were salespeople who made the initial cold call to potential investors and sometimes read sales scripts to potential investors. Ifthe potential investors were interested in investing, then Tim Aubrey authorized the mailing of Offering Materials to the potential investors. A closer then called the potential investors to complete'the sale. Investors sent checks payable to PEP or wired funds directly to PEP's bank accounts. 18. Cherry worked for PEP as a fronter and a closer for almost two and a 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 half years, from about September 2006 to January 2009. Cherry solicited investors for PEP #1 through #4. Cherry read or skimmed the PPMs, brochure, projection statements, and LLC agreements for those offerings. 19. Glasser worked for PEP as a fronter and a closer for more than three years, from approximately August 2006 to October 2009. Glasser solicited investors for PEP #1 through #5. B. Misappropriation of Investor Funds and Material Misrepresentations And Omissions of Material Fact 20. Jerry Aubrey used investor funds to run a Ponzi scheme, and Jerry and Tim Aubrey misused investor funds to pay for numerous personal expenses. The Defendants also made multiple false and misleading statements to investors. The Defendants misrepresented that investors could expect a greater than 50% annual return on investment, failed to disclose that investor funds would be used to pay up to 35% sales commissions, and falsely represented that PEP used a CPA firm to assist with investor distributions. 1. Jerry and Tim Aubrey Misused Investor Funds 21. The PPMs prepared by Jerry Aubrey for PEP #1 through #5 falsely represented that almost half of investor funds would be spent on oil and gas wells and the remainder of investor funds would be used for other business expenses. But investor funds were not spent as represented in the PPMs. Only about $887,458, or 8%, ofthe $11 million raised from all five offerings was spent on oil and gas wells. 22. Instead of using investor funds for oil and gas wells, Jerry Aubrey used most ofthe $11 million to pay alleged investor returns, personal expenses, and undisclosed sales commissions to PEP salespeople, and to distribute cash and checks to himself and family members (including Tim Aubrey). 23. Jerry Aubrey, who controlled PEP's bank accounts and determined investor distribution amounts, used approximately $2 million of investor funds to 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 pay alleged investor returns and return some investor principal. During the almost five years PEP was in operation, PEP only had $169,439 in total revenue, and PEP had no profits. PEP's only operational revenue came from six wells in West Virginia that PEP leased for PEP # 1. PEP never developed any wells for PEP #2 through #5. Because PEP generated no profits, PEP's only source of money was new investor funds. Using new investor money, Jerry Aubrey transferred investor funds between PEP's bank accounts to pay alleged investor returns. 24. Jerry and Tim Aubrey misappropriated more than $3.2 million of investor funds for their personal use. Jerry Aubrey withdrew about $500,000 directly from PEP's bank accounts to pay for personal expenses, and he distributed another $2.7 million in cash and checks to himself, Tim Aubrey, their mother, and their company, Allied Marketing Consultants. A portion of the $2.7 million in cash and checks were alleged salary and sales commissions paid to Jerry and Tim Aubrey, even though PEP's legitimate business activities were virtually nonexistent. 25. According to Tim Aubrey, Jerry Aubrey used investor funds to do "all kinds ofthings... limo rides ... to [Staples Center] for Lakers game[s] ... Vegas ... strip clubs and just being a high roller." Jerry and Tim Aubrey spent investor funds on such items as: • Rent for the Aubrey family's lavish house in Orange County, California. The Aubreys paid as much as $7,100 per month for a three story, approximately 4,000 square foot house, equipped with large screen televisions, a pool table, giant fish aquariums with exotic fish, a hot tub, a pool, and a tennis court. • Personal attorney's fees, including fees for the defense of Jerry Aubrey'S criminal securities fraud case in Florida. • Box seats at Lakers basketball games and limousine rides to Lakers games. • Family vacations, which included two trips to Maui, Hawaii. 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 The chart below details how the bulk of investor funds were • Vacations for Jerry Aubrey, Tim Aubrey, PEP salespeople, and administrative staff, which included trips to Las Vegas, Palm Springs, and Big Bear. • A Lexus car and jewelry for Jerry Aubrey's girlfriend. • Trucks, cars, and Harley Davidson motorcycles. • Expensive fish, including miniature sharks, and fish aquariums. 27. Jerry and Tim Aubrey knew, or were reckless in not knowing, that they were misusing investor proceeds in contravention of their representations to investors. 2. The Defendants Misrepresented PEP's Return on Investment 28. The Defendants falsely represented that investors could expect an extremely high return on investment. PEP's brochure, which was prepared by Jerry Aubrey, contained a section titled "Potential High Financial Rewards" that falsely stated PEP had a "return of capital in as little as 12 to 24 months," "better than 10 to 1 potential return on investment," and "greater than 50% annual rate of 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 return." In addition to sending the brochure to potential investors, PEP salespeople sometimes used the brochure as a script when they spoke with potential investors over the phone. 29. PEP's projection statements for PEP #1 through #5 falsely projected that for the first year the oil and gas wells were operating, PEP would make large investor distributions ranging from $23,069 to $52,399 on a $25,000 investment. The statements also projected that for the first five years the wells were ·operating, total investor distributions would range from $91,708 to $212,811 on a $25,000 investment. In addition to sending the projection statements to potential investors, PEP salespeople sometimes used the projection statements when they spoke with potential investors over the phone. 30. Tim Aubrey and Aaron Glasser prepared sales scripts that Tim Aubrey gave the fronters to read to potential investors. Jerry Aubrey and Tim Aubrey also used an automatic dialer that had a script that potential investors heard. These scripts generally said PEP projected annual returns of more than 70%, or PEP had potential returns ofbetter than 10 to 1. 31. Cherry sometimes read the misleading "Potential High Financial Rewards" section from PEP's brochure to potential investors. At times, Cherry also read a sales script to potential investors that falsely claimed PEP had high returns. In addition, Cherry falsely told potential investors they had a chance to earn multiples on their investment for the life ofthe wells and the average life of a well was 10 to 14 years. Cherry also told potential investors, "it's not a matter of if you're going to make money, it's how much you're going to make." 32. Glasser wrote a letter to a potential investor assuring him that ifhe did not earn a 73% return on his investment, then he could sell his investment back to PEP. Glasser also wrote an email to an existing investor stating that he was earning a 45% annual return on PEP #1, and that ifthe investor invested in PEP #3, he would earn $1,740 per month for each $25,000 unit, an almost 84% annual 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 return. Glasser reviewed the projection statements for PEP #3 and #4 with at least one investor over the phone. Glasser also told this investor that the investor was making a 40-60% return on PEP # 1 and that another company was interested in buying PEP's wells for a large price. Furthermore, Glasser told at least one other investor that PEP #4 was a great investment that would make more money than PEP #2. 33. In fact, PEP only had $169,439 in revenue from December 2007 to January 2010 and no profits. Despite PEP's lack of revenue and profit, the Defendants continued to use the brochure, projection statements, and sales scripts. The Defendants knew, or were reckless in not knowing, that their representations regarding PEP's return on investment were false. 3. The Defendants Failed to Disclose Sales Commissions 34. The Defendants failed to disclose to potential investors that up to 35% oftheir investment would be used to pay sales commissions. The PPMs for PEP # 1 through #5 were silent on the subject of sales commissions, and the Defendants did not disclose the sales commissions to investors. The amount of sales commission varied depending on whether an investor was a new investor or an existing investor and whether the salesperson fronted and/or closed the deal. Fronters generally received 5-7% ofthe funds raised. Closers generally received 20-30% ofthe funds raised. Jerry Aubrey, who authorized the payment of sales commissions to salespeople, paid about $2.2 million in undisclosed sales commISSIons. 35. Jerry and Tim Aubrey each took a 2% sales commission on all PEP investments sold. Cherry received up to a 25% sales commission on investments he sold, and he received total sales commissions of about $337,450. Glasser received up to a 25% sales commission on investments he sold, and he received total sales commissions of about $741,633. The Defendants knew, or were reckless in not knowing, that the sales commissions were not disclosed to 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 investors. 4. The Defendants Misrepresented the Help of an Accounting Firm in Making Investor Distributions 36. Jerry Aubrey prepared the LLC agreements that falsely stated that PEP used the assistance of an "independent CP A firm" to make distributions to investors. PEP did not use an independent CPA firm-Jerry Aubrey simply decided how much to distribute to investors. In addition, Cherry and Glasser each misrepresented to at least one investor that PEP's financial statements were audited. The Defendants knew, or were reckless in not knowing, that·PEP did not use an independent CP A to make distributions to investors and that PEP did not have audited financial statements. FIRST CLAIM FOR RELIEF Unregistered Offer and Sale of Securities Violations of Sections 5( a) and 5( c) of the Securities Act (Against All Defendants) 37. The Commission realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs 1 through 36 above. 38. The Defendants, and each ofthem, by engaging in the conduct described above, directly or indirectly, made use of means or instruments of transportation or communication in interstate commerce or of the mails, to offer to sell or to sell securities, or to carry or cause such securities to be carried through the mails or in interstate commerce for the purpose ofsale or for delivery after sale. 39. No registration statement has been filed with the Commission or has been in effect with respect to any ofthe offerings alleged herein. 40. By engaging in the conduct described above, all of the Defendants violated, and unless restrained and enjoined will continue to violate, Sections 5(a) and 5(c) ofthe Securities Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 77e(a) and 77e(c). 11 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 SECOND CLAIM FOR RELIEF Fraud in The Offer or Sale of Securities Violations of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act (Against All Defendants) 41. The Commission realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs 1 through 36 above. 42. The Defendants, and each of them, by engaging in the conduct described above, in the offer or sale of securities by the use of means or instruments oftransportation or communication in interstate commerce or by use ofthe mails directly or indirectly: a. with scienter, employed devices, schemes, or artifices to defraud; b. obtained money or property by means ofuntrue statements of a material fact or by omitting to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light ofthe circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; or c. engaged in transactions, practices, or courses ofbusiness which operated or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon the purchaser. 43. By engaging in the conduct described above, the defendants violated, and unless restrained and enjoined will continue to violate, Section 17(a) ofthe Securities Act, 15 U.S.C. § 77q(a). THIRD CLAIM FOR RELIEF Fraud in Connection With The Purchase or Sale of Securities Violations of Section 1 O(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 Thereunder (Against All Defendants) 44. The Commission realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs 1 through 36 above. 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 45. The Defendants, and each of them, by engaging in the conduct described above, directly or indirectly, in connection with the purchase or sale of a security, by the use of means or instrumentalities of interstate commerce, ofthe mails, or ofthe facilities of a national securities exchange, with scienter: a. employed devices, schemes, or artifices to defraud; b. made untrue statements of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light ofthe circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; or c. engaged in acts, practices, or courses of business which operated or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon other persons. 46. By engaging in the conduct described above, the Defendants violated, and unless restrained and enjoined will continue to violate, Section 1 O(b) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78j(b), and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, 17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5. FOURTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF Fraud in Connection With The Purchase or Sale of Securities Aiding and Abetting Violations of Section lOeb) of the Exchange Act and Rule lOb-5 Thereunder (Against Jerry Aubrey) 47. The Commission realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs 1 through 36 above. 48. PEP and PEP #1 through #5, by engaging in the conduct described above, directly or indirectly, in connection with the purchase or sale of a security, by the use of means or instrumentalities of interstate commerce, of the mails, or of the facilities of a national securities exchange, with scienter made untrue statements of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to 13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. 49. Jerry Aubrey knew, or was reckless in not knowing, that PEP's and PEP #1 through #5's conduct was improper and Jerry Aubrey knowingly and substantially assisted PEP and PEP # 1 through #5 in directly or indirectly violating Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78j(b), and Rule 10b-5, 17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5, thereunder. 50. By engaging in the conduct described above, pursuant to Section 20(e) ofthe Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78t(e), Jerry Aubrey aided and abetted the violations of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78j(b), and Rule 10b-5, 17 C.F .R. § 240.10b-5, thereunder. FIFTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF Failure to Register as a Broker-Dealer Violations of Section 15(a) of the Exchange Act (Against All Defendants) 51. The Commission realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs 1 through 36 above. 52. The Defendants, and each ofthem, by engaging in the conduct described above, directly or indirectly, made use ofthe mails or means or instrumentalities of interstate commerce to effect transactions in, or to induce or attempt to induce, the purchase or sale of securities, without being registered as brokers or dealers in accordance with Section 15(a) ofthe Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 780(a). 53. By engaging in the conduct described above, the Defendants violated and unless restrained and enjoined will continue to violate Section 15(a) ofthe Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 780(a). III III 14 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 PRAYER FOR RELIEF WHEREFORE, the Commission respectfully requests that the Court: I. Issue findings of fact and conclusions of law that the Defendants committed the alleged violations. n Issue judgments, in forms consistent with Rule 65(d) ofthe Federal Rules of Civil Procedure: A. Temporarily, preliminarily and permanently enjoining the Defendants and their officers, agents, servants, employees, and attorneys, and those persons in active concert or participation with any of them, who receive actual notice of the judgment by personal service or otherwise, and each ofthem, from violating Sections 5(a), 5(c), and 17(a) ofthe Securities Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 77e(a), 77e(c), & 77q(a), and Sections 10(b) and 15(a) ofthe Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 78j(b) & 78o(a), and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, 17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5. B. Permanently enjoining Jerry Aubrey and any entity he owns or controls from offering unregistered securities in the future. C. Ordering Tim Aubrey, Cherry, and Glasser to disgorge all ill-gotten gains from their illegal conduct, together with prejudgment interest thereon. D. Ordering Tim Aubrey, Cherry, and Glasser to pay civil penalties under Section 20(d) of the Securities Act, 15 U.S.C. § 77t(d), and Section 21(d)(3) ofthe Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78u(d)(3). III. Retain jurisdiction ofthis action in accordance with the principles of equity and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure in order to implement and carry out the terms of all orders and decrees that may be entered, or to entertain any suitable 15 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 application or motion for additional relief within the jurisdiction ofthis Court. IV. Grant such other and further relief as this Court may determine to be just and necessary. DATED: October 11,2011 MOLLY M. WHITE Attorneys for Plaintiff Securities and Exchange Commission 16
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 -' MOLLY M. WlllTE (Cal. Bar No. 171448) Email: whitem(CV,sec.gov ,--'j ""- , ... ,..JJENNIFER T. PlJRPERO (Cal. Bar No. 247976) r';;·' c~ Email: [email protected] Attorneys for Plaintiff >. ~-.' - 1Securities and Exchange Commission Rosalind R. Tyson, Regional Director ._' , -,..\ -., :t::"-'='John M. McCoy III, Associate Regional Director c "tl -:.) ........:.:.. 5670 Wilshire Boulevard, 11th Floor ~:~ '2Los Angeles, California 90036 ,-' N Telephone: (323} 965-3998 ';:.D c.n FacsImile: (323) 965-3908 4 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA SOUTHERN DIVISION Case No. <;;AeV {\- ISLe I-{ uv $. (!2-NV/~ ') COMMISSION, COMPLAINT Plaintiff, vs. JERRYL.AUBREY, TIMOTHY J. AUBREY, BRIAN S. CHERRY, AARON M. GLASSER, Defendants. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 1. Progressive Energy Partners, LLC ("PEP"), Jerry L. Aubrey, Timothy J. Aubrey, Brian S. Cherry, and Aaron M. Glasser conducted an $11 million boiler room fraud that victimized more than 200 investors. From approximately September 2005 to December 2009, PEP fraudulently offered and sold its securities to investors nationwide and in Canada through unregistered offerings. The Defendants claimed the investors' money would be used to develop and support oil and gas wells. In fact, the bulk of the money was used to line the Defendants' pockets, fund lavish lifestyles, and make Ponzi-like payments intended to perpetuate the fraud. 2. Jerry Aubrey, PEP's principal, used PEP to run a Ponzi scheme by paying alleged investor returns with money raised from new investors. Tim Aubrey played a key role in the fraud by helping his brother manage PEP. Both Jerry and Tim Aubrey misappropriated investor funds for their personal use to pay for, among other things, box seats at Lakers basketball games, trips to Hawaii and Las Vegas, and personal attorney's fees, as well as taking direct distributions by cash or check. In carrying out the fraud, Jerry Aubrey, Tim Aubrey, Brian Cherry, and Aaron Glasser (collectively, the "Defendants"): 1) misrepresented to investors they could expect a greater than 50% annual return on their investment; 2) failed to disclose to investors that up to 35% oftheir investment would be used to pay sales commissions; and 3) falsely represented to investors that PEP used an accounting firm to assist with investor distributions. 3. The Defendants, by engaging in the conduct described in this complaint, have violated, and unless enjoined will continue to violate, the registration, antifraud, and broker-dealer registration provisions of the federal securities laws. By this action, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") seeks permanent injunctions, disgorgement with prejudgment interest, and civil penalties. 1 III 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 JURISDICTION AND VENUE 4. This Court has jurisdiction over this action pursuant to Sections 20(b), 20(d)(l) and 22(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 ("Securities Act"), 15 U.S.C. §§ 77t(b), 77t(d)(l), & 77v(a), and Sections 21(d)(l), 21(d)(3)(A), 21(e), and 27 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act"), 15 U.S.C. §§ 78u(d)(l), 78u(d)(3)(A), 78u(e), & 78aa. The Defendants have, directly or indirectly, made use of the means or instrumentalities of interstate commerce, of the mails, or of the facilities of a national securities exchange in connection with the transactions, acts, practices and courses ofbusiness alleged in this Complaint. 5. Venue is proper in this district pursuant to Section 22(a) ofthe Securities Act, 15 U.S.C. § 77v(a), and Section 27 of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78aa, because certain of the transactions, acts, practices, and courses of conduct constituting violations of the federal securities laws occurred within this district, and most of the Defendants reside or are located in this district. DEFENDANTS 6. Jerry L. Aubrey, of Moreno Valley, California, was PEP's founder, managing member, and a PEP salesperson. Jerry Aubrey operated PEP from about May 2005 to April 2010. He holds no securities licenses and has never been registered with the Commission in any capacity. 7. In April 2007, the Florida Attorney General's Office criminally charged Jerry Aubrey with securities fraud in connection with the offer and sale of security interests in a body scan imaging business that he operated from approximately December 2000 to October 2003. State ofFla. v. Aubrey, Case No. 07-31911CFAES (Fla. Volusia County Ct. 2007). In July 2010, he pled guilty to one count of securities or investment fraud in that matter. In October 2010, he was sentenced to five years in prison followed by 25 years probation, and he was ordered to pay $5,795,923 in restitution. Jerry Aubrey is currently serving his prison sentence in Florida and has not yet paid any restitution. 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 8. In August 1998, the Commission charged Jerry Aubrey with violating the broker-dealer registration provisions of the Exchange Act in connection with an offering fraud in which he sold securities in a fictitious cruise ship. SEC v. Todd, Case No. 98-6509 DT (JGX) (C.D. Cal. 1998). In March 1999, he was permanently enjoined from future violations of Section 15(a)(1) of the Exchange Act and was ordered to pay a $5,500 civil penalty. Many state securities agencies have obtained cease-and-desist orders against Jerry Aubrey for his involvement with PEP and other companies. 9. Timothy J. Aubrey, of Moreno Valley, California, is Jerry Aubrey's brother and was a PEP manager and salesperson. Tim Aubrey helped manage PEP and its salespeople from approximately May 2005 to December 2009. Tim Aubrey holds no securities licenses and has never been registered with the Commission in any capacity. 10. Brian S. Cherry ("Cherry"), ofNewport Beach, California, was a PEP salesperson from about September 2006 to January 2009. He holds no securities licenses and has never been registered with the Commission in any capacity. 11. Aaron M. Glasser ("Glasser"), of Costa Mesa, California, was a PEP salesperson from about August 2006 to October 2009. He holds Series 22 and 63 licenses. In May 2006, FINRA denied Glasser's registration because in 2002 he pled guilty to four counts of check forgery and in 2003 he pled guilty to one count ofpossession or sale ofa controlled substance. Glasser has never been registered with the Commission in any capacity. During the Commission's investigation, Glasser asserted his Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination. THE FRAUDULENT SCHEME 12. Jerry Aubrey masterminded and organized the scheme that he and the other Defendants conducted through PEP. He operated and managed PEP's boiler room operations from May 2005 through April 2010. His brother, Tim Aubrey, played a key role in orchestrating PEP's fraud. 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 13. From September 2005 through December 2009, PEP raised approximately $11 million from more than 200 investors nationwide and in Canada through five unregistered securities offerings of limited liability company ("LLC") interests (which were called "units" in PEP's Private Placement Memorandum, or "PPMs"). PEP's offerings were titled Progressive Energy Partners, LLC #1 through #5 ("PEP #1 through #5"). The Defendants sold units or partial units of $25,000 in the five offerings. The Defendants caused PEP to take in more money in most of its offerings than the PPMs permitted. The Defendants also sometimes extended the offering periods beyond what was stated in the PPMs. Some investors invested in multiple offerings. The money raised from each offering was supposed to be used to develop and support oil and gas wells. 14. PEP #1 offered $900,000 worth of units and raised $1,361,250 from September 2005 to October 2006 from 57 investors. PEP #2 offered $1,500,000 worth ofunits and raised $1,962,500 from October 2006 to March 2007 from 61 investors. PEP #3 offered $2,000,000 worth of units and raised $2,674,985 from March 2007 to October 2007 from 67 investors. PEP #4 offered $1,800,000 worth of units and raised $4,549,905 from October 2007 to April 2009 from 91 investors. PEP #5 offered $1,800,000 worth of units and raised $462,500 from May 2009 to December 2009 from 19 investors. Details of these offerings are summarized below: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 15. Jerry Aubrey prepared the offering and marketing materials (the "Offering Materials") that were mailed to potential investors for PEP #1 through #5. The Offering Materials for each offering included a cover letter, a PPM, an LLC agreement, a subscription agreement, a purchaser questionnaire, a bro~hure, and projection statements. The Offering Materials for the five different offerings were very similar, and the same brochure was used for all five offerings. A. Solicitation of Investors 16. To solicit investors, Jerry and Tim Aubrey established and operated a boiler room with 196 telephone lines. Jerry Aubrey bought an automatic dialer that cold called potential investors nationwide and in Canada. Tim Aubrey purchased lead lists with potential investors' phone numbers and loaded the lead lists onto the automatic dialer. The automatic dialer called the potential investors on the lead lists, and the potential investors heard a pre-recorded sales script when they answered the phone. If the potential investors were interested in investing, they left a voice message on the automatic dialer. PEP salespeople called those potential investors who left a voice message. Tim Aubrey also purchased lead lists that PEP salespeople used to cold call potential investors. In addition, Jerry and Tim Aubrey personally cold called potential investors to solicit their investment. PEP also used a website (www.pepllc.net) to solicit investors. 17. PEP salespeople were called "fronters" and "closers." Tim Aubrey supervised the fronters, and Jerry Aubrey supervised the closers. Fronters were salespeople who made the initial cold call to potential investors and sometimes read sales scripts to potential investors. If the potential investors were interested in investing, then Tim Aubrey authorized the mailing of Offering Materials to the potential investors. A closer then called the potential investors to complete'the sale. Investors sent checks payable to PEP or wired funds directly to PEP's bank accounts. 18. Cherry worked for PEP as a fronter and a closer for almost two and a 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 half years, from about September 2006 to January 2009. Cherry solicited investors for PEP #1 through #4. Cherry read or skimmed the PPMs, brochure, projection statements, and LLC agreements for those offerings. 19. Glasser worked for PEP as a fronter and a closer for more than three years, from approximately August 2006 to October 2009. Glasser solicited investors for PEP #1 through #5. B. Misappropriation of Investor Funds and Material Misrepresentations And Omissions of Material Fact 20. Jerry Aubrey used investor funds to run a Ponzi scheme, and Jerry and Tim Aubrey misused investor funds to pay for numerous personal expenses. The Defendants also made multiple false and misleading statements to investors. The Defendants misrepresented that investors could expect a greater than 50% annual return on investment, failed to disclose that investor funds would be used to pay up to 35% sales commissions, and falsely represented that PEP used a CPA firm to assist with investor distributions. 1. Jerry and Tim Aubrey Misused Investor Funds 21. The PPMs prepared by Jerry Aubrey for PEP #1 through #5 falsely represented that almost half of investor funds would be spent on oil and gas wells and the remainder of investor funds would be used for other business expenses. But investor funds were not spent as represented in the PPMs. Only about $887,458, or 8%, of the $11 million raised from all five offerings was spent on oil and gas wells. 22. Instead of using investor funds for oil and gas wells, Jerry Aubrey used most of the $11 million to pay alleged investor returns, personal expenses, and undisclosed sales commissions to PEP salespeople, and to distribute cash and checks to himself and family members (including Tim Aubrey). 23. Jerry Aubrey, who controlled PEP's bank accounts and determined investor distribution amounts, used approximately $2 million of investor funds to 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 pay alleged investor returns and return some investor principal. During the almost five years PEP was in operation, PEP only had $169,439 in total revenue, and PEP had no profits. PEP's only operational revenue came from six wells in West Virginia that PEP leased for PEP # 1. PEP never developed any wells for PEP #2 through #5. Because PEP generated no profits, PEP's only source of money was new investor funds. Using new investor money, Jerry Aubrey transferred investor funds between PEP's bank accounts to pay alleged investor returns. 24. Jerry and Tim Aubrey misappropriated more than $3.2 million of investor funds for their personal use. Jerry Aubrey withdrew about $500,000 directly from PEP's bank accounts to pay for personal expenses, and he distributed another $2.7 million in cash and checks to himself, Tim Aubrey, their mother, and their company, Allied Marketing Consultants. A portion of the $2.7 million in cash and checks were alleged salary and sales commissions paid to Jerry and Tim Aubrey, even though PEP's legitimate business activities were virtually nonexistent. 25. According to Tim Aubrey, Jerry Aubrey used investor funds to do "all kinds of things... limo rides ... to [Staples Center] for Lakers game[s] ... Vegas ... strip clubs and just being a high roller." Jerry and Tim Aubrey spent investor funds on such items as: • Rent for the Aubrey family's lavish house in Orange County, California. The Aubreys paid as much as $7,100 per month for a three story, approximately 4,000 square foot house, equipped with large screen televisions, a pool table, giant fish aquariums with exotic fish, a hot tub, a pool, and a tennis court. • Personal attorney's fees, including fees for the defense of Jerry Aubrey'S criminal securities fraud case in Florida. • Box seats at Lakers basketball games and limousine rides to Lakers games. • Family vacations, which included two trips to Maui, Hawaii. 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 The chart below details how the bulk of investor funds were • Vacations for Jerry Aubrey, Tim Aubrey, PEP salespeople, and administrative staff, which included trips to Las Vegas, Palm Springs, and Big Bear. • A Lexus car and jewelry for Jerry Aubrey's girlfriend. • Trucks, cars, and Harley Davidson motorcycles. • Expensive fish, including miniature sharks, and fish aquariums. 27. Jerry and Tim Aubrey knew, or were reckless in not knowing, that they were misusing investor proceeds in contravention of their representations to investors. 2. The Defendants Misrepresented PEP's Return on Investment 28. The Defendants falsely represented that investors could expect an extremely high return on investment. PEP's brochure, which was prepared by Jerry Aubrey, contained a section titled "Potential High Financial Rewards" that falsely stated PEP had a "return of capital in as little as 12 to 24 months," "better than 10 to 1 potential return on investment," and "greater than 50% annual rate of 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 return." In addition to sending the brochure to potential investors, PEP salespeople sometimes used the brochure as a script when they spoke with potential investors over the phone. 29. PEP's projection statements for PEP #1 through #5 falsely projected that for the first year the oil and gas wells were operating, PEP would make large investor distributions ranging from $23,069 to $52,399 on a $25,000 investment. The statements also projected that for the first five years the wells were ·operating, total investor distributions would range from $91,708 to $212,811 on a $25,000 investment. In addition to sending the projection statements to potential investors, PEP salespeople sometimes used the projection statements when they spoke with potential investors over the phone. 30. Tim Aubrey and Aaron Glasser prepared sales scripts that Tim Aubrey gave the fronters to read to potential investors. Jerry Aubrey and Tim Aubrey also used an automatic dialer that had a script that potential investors heard. These scripts generally said PEP projected annual returns of more than 70%, or PEP had potential returns ofbetter than 10 to 1. 31. Cherry sometimes read the misleading "Potential High Financial Rewards" section from PEP's brochure to potential investors. At times, Cherry also read a sales script to potential investors that falsely claimed PEP had high returns. In addition, Cherry falsely told potential investors they had a chance to earn multiples on their investment for the life of the wells and the average life of a well was 10 to 14 years. Cherry also told potential investors, "it's not a matter of if you're going to make money, it's how much you're going to make." 32. Glasser wrote a letter to a potential investor assuring him that ifhe did not earn a 73% return on his investment, then he could sell his investment back to PEP. Glasser also wrote an email to an existing investor stating that he was earning a 45% annual return on PEP #1, and that if the investor invested in PEP #3, he would earn $1,740 per month for each $25,000 unit, an almost 84% annual 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 return. Glasser reviewed the projection statements for PEP #3 and #4 with at least one investor over the phone. Glasser also told this investor that the investor was making a 40-60% return on PEP # 1 and that another company was interested in buying PEP's wells for a large price. Furthermore, Glasser told at least one other investor that PEP #4 was a great investment that would make more money than PEP #2. 33. In fact, PEP only had $169,439 in revenue from December 2007 to January 2010 and no profits. Despite PEP's lack of revenue and profit, the Defendants continued to use the brochure, projection statements, and sales scripts. The Defendants knew, or were reckless in not knowing, that their representations regarding PEP's return on investment were false. 3. The Defendants Failed to Disclose Sales Commissions 34. The Defendants failed to disclose to potential investors that up to 35% of their investment would be used to pay sales commissions. The PPMs for PEP # 1 through #5 were silent on the subject of sales commissions, and the Defendants did not disclose the sales commissions to investors. The amount of sales commission varied depending on whether an investor was a new investor or an existing investor and whether the salesperson fronted and/or closed the deal. Fronters generally received 5-7% of the funds raised. Closers generally received 20-30% ofthe funds raised. Jerry Aubrey, who authorized the payment of sales commissions to salespeople, paid about $2.2 million in undisclosed sales commISSIons. 35. Jerry and Tim Aubrey each took a 2% sales commission on all PEP investments sold. Cherry received up to a 25% sales commission on investments he sold, and he received total sales commissions of about $337,450. Glasser received up to a 25% sales commission on investments he sold, and he received total sales commissions of about $741,633. The Defendants knew, or were reckless in not knowing, that the sales commissions were not disclosed to 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 investors. 4. The Defendants Misrepresented the Help of an Accounting Firm in Making Investor Distributions 36. Jerry Aubrey prepared the LLC agreements that falsely stated that PEP used the assistance of an "independent CP A firm" to make distributions to investors. PEP did not use an independent CPA firm- Jerry Aubrey simply decided how much to distribute to investors. In addition, Cherry and Glasser each misrepresented to at least one investor that PEP's financial statements were audited. The Defendants knew, or were reckless in not knowing, that·PEP did not use an independent CP A to make distributions to investors and that PEP did not have audited financial statements. FIRST CLAIM FOR RELIEF Unregistered Offer and Sale of Securities Violations of Sections 5( a) and 5( c) of the Securities Act (Against All Defendants) 37. The Commission realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs 1 through 36 above. 38. The Defendants, and each of them, by engaging in the conduct described above, directly or indirectly, made use of means or instruments of transportation or communication in interstate commerce or of the mails, to offer to sell or to sell securities, or to carry or cause such securities to be carried through the mails or in interstate commerce for the purpose of sale or for delivery after sale. 39. No registration statement has been filed with the Commission or has been in effect with respect to any of the offerings alleged herein. 40. By engaging in the conduct described above, all of the Defendants violated, and unless restrained and enjoined will continue to violate, Sections 5(a) and 5(c) of the Securities Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 77e(a) and 77e(c). 11 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 SECOND CLAIM FOR RELIEF Fraud in The Offer or Sale of Securities Violations of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act (Against All Defendants) 41. The Commission realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs 1 through 36 above. 42. The Defendants, and each of them, by engaging in the conduct described above, in the offer or sale of securities by the use of means or instruments of transportation or communication in interstate commerce or by use of the mails directly or indirectly: a. with scienter, employed devices, schemes, or artifices to defraud; b. obtained money or property by means ofuntrue statements of a material fact or by omitting to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; or c. engaged in transactions, practices, or courses ofbusiness which operated or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon the purchaser. 43. By engaging in the conduct described above, the defendants violated, and unless restrained and enjoined will continue to violate, Section 17(a) of the Securities Act, 15 U.S.C. § 77q(a). THIRD CLAIM FOR RELIEF Fraud in Connection With The Purchase or Sale of Securities Violations of Section 1 O(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 Thereunder (Against All Defendants) 44. The Commission realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs 1 through 36 above. 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 45. The Defendants, and each of them, by engaging in the conduct described above, directly or indirectly, in connection with the purchase or sale of a security, by the use of means or instrumentalities of interstate commerce, of the mails, or of the facilities of a national securities exchange, with scienter: a. employed devices, schemes, or artifices to defraud; b. made untrue statements of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; or c. engaged in acts, practices, or courses of business which operated or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon other persons. 46. By engaging in the conduct described above, the Defendants violated, and unless restrained and enjoined will continue to violate, Section 1 O(b) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78j(b), and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, 17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5. FOURTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF Fraud in Connection With The Purchase or Sale of Securities Aiding and Abetting Violations of Section lOeb) of the Exchange Act and Rule lOb-5 Thereunder (Against Jerry Aubrey) 47. The Commission realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs 1 through 36 above. 48. PEP and PEP #1 through #5, by engaging in the conduct described above, directly or indirectly, in connection with the purchase or sale of a security, by the use of means or instrumentalities of interstate commerce, of the mails, or of the facilities of a national securities exchange, with scienter made untrue statements of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to 13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. 49. Jerry Aubrey knew, or was reckless in not knowing, that PEP's and PEP #1 through #5's conduct was improper and Jerry Aubrey knowingly and substantially assisted PEP and PEP # 1 through #5 in directly or indirectly violating Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78j(b), and Rule 10b-5, 17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5, thereunder. 50. By engaging in the conduct described above, pursuant to Section 20(e) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78t(e), Jerry Aubrey aided and abetted the violations of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78j(b), and Rule 10b-5, 17 C.F .R. § 240.10b-5, thereunder. FIFTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF Failure to Register as a Broker-Dealer Violations of Section 15(a) of the Exchange Act (Against All Defendants) 51. The Commission realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs 1 through 36 above. 52. The Defendants, and each of them, by engaging in the conduct described above, directly or indirectly, made use of the mails or means or instrumentalities of interstate commerce to effect transactions in, or to induce or attempt to induce, the purchase or sale of securities, without being registered as brokers or dealers in accordance with Section 15(a) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 780(a). 53. By engaging in the conduct described above, the Defendants violated and unless restrained and enjoined will continue to violate Section 15(a) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 780(a). III III 14 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 PRAYER FOR RELIEF WHEREFORE, the Commission respectfully requests that the Court: I. Issue findings of fact and conclusions of law that the Defendants committed the alleged violations. n Issue judgments, in forms consistent with Rule 65(d) ofthe Federal Rules of Civil Procedure: A. Temporarily, preliminarily and permanently enjoining the Defendants and their officers, agents, servants, employees, and attorneys, and those persons in active concert or participation with any of them, who receive actual notice of the judgment by personal service or otherwise, and each of them, from violating Sections 5(a), 5(c), and 17(a) of the Securities Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 77e(a), 77e(c), & 77q(a), and Sections 10(b) and 15(a) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 78j(b) & 78o(a), and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, 17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5. B. Permanently enjoining Jerry Aubrey and any entity he owns or controls from offering unregistered securities in the future. C. Ordering Tim Aubrey, Cherry, and Glasser to disgorge all ill-gotten gains from their illegal conduct, together with prejudgment interest thereon. D. Ordering Tim Aubrey, Cherry, and Glasser to pay civil penalties under Section 20(d) of the Securities Act, 15 U.S.C. § 77t(d), and Section 21(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78u(d)(3). III. Retain jurisdiction of this action in accordance with the principles of equity and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure in order to implement and carry out the terms of all orders and decrees that may be entered, or to entertain any suitable 15 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 application or motion for additional relief within the jurisdiction of this Court. IV. Grant such other and further relief as this Court may determine to be just and necessary. DATED: October 11,2011 MOLLY M. WHITE Attorneys for Plaintiff Securities and Exchange Commission 16