SEC v. DEPUY ORTHOPAEDICS INC, No. 3:19-cv-01538, Northern District of Texas (June 26, 2019)
raw: Comp24514
Comp24514, No. 3:19-cv-01538 (June 26, 2019)
The SEC is suing Mark Allan Plummer for misappropriating $399,011 from investors in Texas E&P Partners, Inc. by using funds raised for drilling and operating oil well projects for personal and unauthorized business expenses.
The SEC is suing Mark Allan Plummer for misappropriating $399,011 from investors in Texas E&P Partners, Inc. by using funds raised for drilling and operating oil well projects for personal and unauthorized business expenses. The lawsuit, filed under Section 10b-5 of the Securities Exchange Act, seeks permanent injunctions, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains, and civil money penalties. Additionally, a separate legal complaint has been filed against Collin Davis, seeking unspecified damages and legal fees.
The SEC is suing Mark Allan Plummer for misappropriating $399,011 from investors in Texas E&P Partners, Inc. by using funds raised for drilling and operating oil well projects for personal and unauthorized business expenses. The lawsuit, filed under Section 10b-5 of the Securities Exchange Act, seeks permanent injunctions, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains, and civil money penalties. Additionally, a separate legal complaint has been filed against Collin Davis, seeking unspecified damages and legal fees. Plummer has a lengthy history of promoting oil and gas investments and has had multiple regulatory issues, including a 2012 order against Chestnut Exploration for overcharging investors and multiple investigations by FINRA for misuse of investor funds and inadequate supervisory procedures. Plummer has been in the oil business for over thirty years and has founded numerous entities related to his drilling projects. He has also been barred by FINRA from association with any FINRA member and has a combined six judgments from past FINRA arbitrations initiated by investors.
Extracted insights
- $6.10M $6.1 million $1M–$10M
- $5.00M $5 million $1M–$10M
- $399K $399,011 $100K–$1M
- $399K $399,011 $100K–$1M
- $144K $144,462 $100K–$1M
- $112K $111,523 $100K–$1M
- $46K $45,651 $10K–$100K
- $23K $23,194 $10K–$100K
- $18K $17,887 $10K–$100K
- $17K $16,682 $10K–$100K
- $15K $14,706 $10K–$100K
- $13K $13,206 $10K–$100K
- agency an altered document to the finra staff
- person civil money penalties
- agency Finra
- organization Finra
- agency finra hearing panel
- person investor funds
- person Investors
- person mark allan plummer
- person misleading testimony
- agency misleading testimony to finra staff
- person permanent injunctions
- company texas e&p partners, inc.
- Mark Allan Plummer defrauded investors
- Mark Allan Plummer misappropriated investor funds
- Texas E&P raised $6.1 million
- Mark Allan Plummer misappropriated $399,011
- Mark Allan Plummer violated antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws
- SEC seeks permanent injunctions
- SEC seeks disgorgement of ill-gotten gains
- SEC seeks civil money penalties
- Mark Allan Plummer is founder, owner, and President of Texas E&P
- FINRA hearing panel found Plummer and Texas E&P produced an altered document
- Mark Allan Plummer provided misleading testimony
- Mark Allan Plummer defrauded investors by misappropriating investor funds through Texas E&P Partners, Inc. and its affiliated entities
- Texas E&P raised $6.1 million by selling interests in joint ventures for two oil well projects
- Mark Allan Plummer misappropriated $399,011 for personal and unauthorized business expenses including entertainment, travel, retail, and income taxes
- Mark Allan Plummer violated the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws
- SEC brings this action seeking permanent injunctions, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains plus prejudgment interest, and civil money penalties
- Plummer and Texas E&P produced an altered document to the FINRA staff
- Plummer provided misleading testimony to FINRA staff
- Mark Allan Plummer misappropriated $399,011 for personal and unauthorized business expenses
- Texas E&P Partners, Inc. raised $6.1 million from investors
- Mark Allan Plummer violated antifraud provisions of federal securities laws
- SEC brought action seeking permanent injunctions, disgorgement, and civil penalties
- Mark Allan Plummer used investor funds for entertainment, travel, retail, and taxes
- FINRA found Plummer and Texas E&P produced altered document and provided misleading testimony
- Texas E&P operated under name Chestnut Exploration Partners, Inc.
- Mark Allan Plummer is founder, owner, and President of Texas E&P
- Plummer misappropriated $399,011 for undisclosed personal and unauthorized business expenses—including for entertainment, travel, retail expenses, and his income taxes
- Plummer violated the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws
- SEC brings this action seeking all available relief—including permanent injunctions, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains plus prejudgment interest, and civil money penalties
- Texas E&P raised $6.1 million by selling interests in joint ventures formed to drill and operate two separate oil well projects
- Plummer is the founder, owner, and President of Texas E&P
- Plummer produced an altered document to the FINRA staff
- Plummer provided misleading testimony
- Mark Allan Plummer defrauded investors
- Texas E&P raised $6.1 million
- Mark Allan Plummer misappropriated $399,011
- Mark Allan Plummer violated antifraud provisions
- SEC brings this action
- Texas E&P sold interests in joint ventures
- Mark Allan Plummer used investor funds for personal expenses
- SEC alleges misappropriation by Plummer
- Plummer found guilty by FINRA hearing panel
- Texas E&P operated under Chestnut Exploration Partners, Inc.
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
DALLAS DIVISION
________________________________________________
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, §
§
Plaintiff, §
§
vs. §
§
MARK ALLAN PLUMMER § Civil Action No.: 3:19-cv-1538
§
§
Defendant. §
________________________________________________§
COMPLAINT
Plaintiff Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) alleges as follows:
SUMMARY
1. Defendant Mark Allan Plummer (“Plummer” or “Defendant”), through his
company Texas E&P Partners, Inc. and its affiliated entities (“Texas E&P”),1 defrauded
investors by misappropriating investor funds. From February 2015 to April 2017, Texas E&P
raised $6.1 million by selling interests in joint ventures formed to drill and operate two separate
oil well projects. However, instead of using all of these funds to drill and operate the oil well
projects—as represented to investors when soliciting their investments—Plummer
misappropriated large sums of money. In total, Plummer misappropriated $399,011 for
undisclosed personal and unauthorized business expenses—including for entertainment, travel,
retail expenses, and his income taxes.
2. In doing so, Plummer violated the antifraud provisions of the federal securities
1 Texas E&P formerly operated under the name Chestnut Exploration Partners, Inc. (“Chestnut
Exploration”).
SEC v. Plummer Page 2 of 7
Complaint
laws. Thus, in the interest of protecting the public from further illegal activity, the SEC brings
this action seeking all available relief—including permanent injunctions, disgorgement of ill-
gotten gains plus prejudgment interest, and civil money penalties.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
3. The Court has jurisdiction over this action under Sections 20(b), 20(d), and 22(a)
of the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”) [15 U.S.C. §§ 77t(b), 77t(d) and 77v(a)]; and
Sections 21(d), 21(e), and 27 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) [15
U.S.C. §§ 78u(d), 78u(e), and 78aa].
4. Each of the joint-venture interests offered and sold is an investment contract, and
therefore a “security” as that term is defined under Securities Act Section 2(a)(1) [15 U.S.C. §
77b(a)(1)] and Exchange Act Section 3(a)(10) [5 U.S.C. § 78c(a)(10)].
5. Defendant has, directly or indirectly, made use of the means or instrumentalities
of interstate commerce in connection with the transactions, acts, practices, and courses of
business alleged in the Complaint.
6. Venue is proper because a substantial part of the transactions, acts, practices, and
courses of conduct constituting violations of the federal securities laws occurred in the Northern
District of Texas.
PARTIES
7. Plaintiff SEC is an agency of the United States government.
8. Defendant Plummer is a natural person residing in Richardson, Texas. He is the
founder, owner, and President of Texas E&P. In December 2016, a Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) hearing panel found that Plummer and Texas E&P produced an
altered document to the FINRA staff, and that Plummer provided misleading testimony
SEC v. Plummer Page 3 of 7
Complaint
regarding the document. The FINRA decision expelled Texas E&P from FINRA membership
and barred Plummer from association with any FINRA member. Plummer has a combined six
judgments from past FINRA arbitrations initiated by investors. Plummer is not registered with
the SEC in any capacity and remains barred by FINRA.
FACTS
I. PLUMMER HAS A LENGTHY HISTORY PROMOTING OIL AND GAS INVESTMENTS.
9. Plummer has been in the oil business for over thirty years. He founded numerous
entities related to his drilling projects—including oil and gas operating companies, funding
companies, service companies, and holding corporations.
10. Plummer has had many regulatory issues. In 2012, the Texas State Securities
Board issued an order against Chestnut Exploration for overcharging investors.2 FINRA has also
conducted multiple investigations of Plummer and his entities over many years for misuse of
investor funds and inadequate supervisory procedures, among other concerns. This resulted in
the expulsion and judgments in investor arbitrations discussed in Paragraph 8, above.
11. In January 2016, during the FINRA investigation, Plummer renamed Chestnut
Exploration to Texas E&P and continued fundraising for two projects under that name: East
Texas 2H and Salmon 2W. Fundraising for the East Texas 2H project was active from February
to September 2015. Salmon 2W fundraising was active from June 2015 through April 2017.
II. PLUMMER DISSEMINATED FALSE AND MISLEADING OFFERING MATERIALS TO
INVESTORS AND MISAPPROPRIATED INVESTOR FUNDS.
12. During this time period, Plummer marketed the Texas E&P securities using false
and misleading offering materials—including a Confidential Investor Memorandum (“CIM”).
2 In the Matter of the Dealer Registration of Chestnut Exploration Partners, Inc., Order No.
IC12-CAF-06 (Jan. 10, 2012).
SEC v. Plummer Page 4 of 7
Complaint
He distributed the CIM to any investor interested in purchasing the Texas E&P securities. In
total, at least 100 investors from at least 18 different states were solicited and invested in the
securities based on the representations in the CIM. These investors included several from the
state of Texas, including Granbury, Fort Worth, and Dallas in the Northern District.
13. The CIM contained false and misleading statements and/or omissions regarding
the use of investor funds. For example, the Salmon 2W CIM states that the offering’s objectives
are to: (1) acquire an interest in two oil and/or gas wells in Anderson County, Texas, and
participate in operations thereon; (2) provide cash distributions from operations; and (3) provide
tax benefits to investors. The CIM details that the investor funds are to be used as follows:
Expense Category Salmon 2W
Drilling (Turnkey Portion) 57.63%
Sales Expenses (including Commissions
and Organizational Expenses)
14.0%
Due Diligence 1.0%
Completion, Testing and Equipping 27.37%
TOTAL 100%
14. The CIM also discloses that Texas E&P will be entitled to a one-time
“management fee.” Though the fee is not quantified, it is defined as “an amount equal to the
excess, if any, of the Turnkey Drilling Price and/or the Turnkey Completion Price over the actual
cost of operations.” Therefore, the management fee cannot be calculated—much less paid—until
the cost of operations is known. Since the Salmon 2W well was never drilled, the cost of
operations remains unknown and Texas E&P is not entitled to a management fee on that well.
15. By April 2017, Plummer had raised a total of $6.1 million. He spent
approximately $5 million of this money on allowable expenses—such as lease acquisitions,
SEC v. Plummer Page 5 of 7
Complaint
utilities, legal fees, and permits. However, he also misappropriated $399,011 as follows:3
Expense Amount
Country Club $16,682.15
Various Restaurants $17,887.13
Various Retail Stores $45,651.25
College Tuition $9,028.50
Racquet Club $13,206.20
Income Taxes $144,462.58
Personal Transportation $14,706.96
Services/Memberships $2,667.99
Personal Travel $111,523.44
Other Miscellaneous $23,194.88
$399,011.19
16. Therefore, as Plummer knew or was reckless or negligent in not knowing, the
statements in the CIM regarding the use of investor funds were false. Plummer—who controlled
the Texas E&P bank accounts and credit cards—knew or should have known that hundreds of
thousands of dollars were being misappropriated. At a minimum, he knowingly, recklessly, or
negligently omitted to disclose this widespread misappropriation to investors.
FIRST CLAIM
Violations of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78j(b)]
and Rule 10b-5 thereunder [17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5]
17. Plaintiff SEC realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs 1 through 16 of
this Complaint as if set forth verbatim.
18. Defendant directly or indirectly, by using any means or instrumentality of
interstate commerce, or of the mails, or of any facility of any national securities exchange, in
connection with the purchase or sale of any security:
3 Plummer also commingled investor funds from the Salmon 2W and East Texas 2H projects in
violation of the CIM.
SEC v. Plummer Page 6 of 7
Complaint
(a) employed a device, scheme, or artifice to defraud;
(b) made an untrue statement 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; and
(c) engaged in an act, practice, or course of business which operates or would operate
as a fraud or deceit upon any person.
19. Accordingly, the Defendant has violated and, unless enjoined, will again violate
Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78j(b)] and Rule 10b-5 thereunder [17 C.F.R.
§240.10b-5].
SECOND CLAIM
Violations of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. § 77q(a)]
20. Plaintiff SEC realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs 1 through 16 of
this Complaint as if set forth verbatim.
21. Defendant, in the offer or sale of any security, by the use of any means or
instruments of transportation or communication in interstate commerce or by use of the mails,
directly or indirectly:
(a) employed a device, scheme, or artifice to defraud;
(b) obtained money or property by means of an untrue statement of a material fact
or an omission of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
and
(c) engaged in a transaction, practice, or course of business which operates or would
operate as a fraud or deceit upon the purchaser.
22. Accordingly, Defendant has violated and, unless enjoined, will again violate
Section 17(a) of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. § 77q(a)].
SEC v. Plummer Page 7 of 7
Complaint
REQUEST FOR RELIEF
The SEC respectfully requests that this Court:
I.
Permanently enjoin Defendant from violating, directly or indirectly, Section 10(b) of the
Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78j] and Rule 10b-5 thereunder [17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5], and Section
17(a) of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. §77q(a)].
II.
Order Defendant to disgorge an amount equal to the funds and benefits obtained illegally,
or to which Defendant otherwise has no legitimate claim, as a result of the violations alleged,
plus prejudgment interest on that amount.
III.
Order Defendant to pay a civil penalty pursuant to Section 20(d) of the Securities Act [15
U.S.C. § 77t(d)] and Section 21(d) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78u(d)] for the violations
alleged herein.
IV.
Order such other relief as this Court may deem just and proper.
June 26, 2019 Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Chris Davis
CHRIS DAVIS
Plaintiff’s Lead Attorney
Texas Bar No. 24050483
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Burnett Plaza, Suite 1900
801 Cherry Street, Unit 18
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Telephone: (817) 900-2638
FAX: (817) 978-4927
E-mail: [email protected]
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- TXND (Rev. 06/17)
Securities and Exchange Commission Mark Allan Plummer
Collin
15 U.S.C. §77q(a)(2), 15 U.S.C. § 78j(b), and 17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5(b)
Securities offering fraud
June 26, 2019 /s Chris DavisIN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
DALLAS DIVISION
________________________________________________
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, §
§
Plaintiff, §
§
vs. §
§
MARK ALLAN PLUMMER § Civil Action No.: 3:19-cv-1538
§
§
Defendant. §
________________________________________________§
COMPLAINT
Plaintiff Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) alleges as follows:
SUMMARY
1. Defendant Mark Allan Plummer (“Plummer” or “Defendant”), through his
company Texas E&P Partners, Inc. and its affiliated entities (“Texas E&P”),1 defrauded
investors by misappropriating investor funds. From February 2015 to April 2017, Texas E&P
raised $6.1 million by selling interests in joint ventures formed to drill and operate two separate
oil well projects. However, instead of using all of these funds to drill and operate the oil well
projects—as represented to investors when soliciting their investments—Plummer
misappropriated large sums of money. In total, Plummer misappropriated $399,011 for
undisclosed personal and unauthorized business expenses—including for entertainment, travel,
retail expenses, and his income taxes.
2. In doing so, Plummer violated the antifraud provisions of the federal securities
1 Texas E&P formerly operated under the name Chestnut Exploration Partners, Inc. (“Chestnut
Exploration”).
Case 3:19-cv-01538-G Document 1 Filed 06/26/19 Page 1 of 7 PageID 1
Case 3:19-cv-01538-G Document 1 Filed 06/26/19 Page 1 of 7 PageID 1
SEC v. Plummer Page 2 of 7
Complaint
laws. Thus, in the interest of protecting the public from further illegal activity, the SEC brings
this action seeking all available relief—including permanent injunctions, disgorgement of ill-
gotten gains plus prejudgment interest, and civil money penalties.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
3. The Court has jurisdiction over this action under Sections 20(b), 20(d), and 22(a)
of the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”) [15 U.S.C. §§ 77t(b), 77t(d) and 77v(a)]; and
Sections 21(d), 21(e), and 27 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) [15
U.S.C. §§ 78u(d), 78u(e), and 78aa].
4. Each of the joint-venture interests offered and sold is an investment contract, and
therefore a “security” as that term is defined under Securities Act Section 2(a)(1) [15 U.S.C. §
77b(a)(1)] and Exchange Act Section 3(a)(10) [5 U.S.C. § 78c(a)(10)].
5. Defendant has, directly or indirectly, made use of the means or instrumentalities
of interstate commerce in connection with the transactions, acts, practices, and courses of
business alleged in the Complaint.
6. Venue is proper because a substantial part of the transactions, acts, practices, and
courses of conduct constituting violations of the federal securities laws occurred in the Northern
District of Texas.
PARTIES
7. Plaintiff SEC is an agency of the United States government.
8. Defendant Plummer is a natural person residing in Richardson, Texas. He is the
founder, owner, and President of Texas E&P. In December 2016, a Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) hearing panel found that Plummer and Texas E&P produced an
altered document to the FINRA staff, and that Plummer provided misleading testimony
Case 3:19-cv-01538-G Document 1 Filed 06/26/19 Page 2 of 7 PageID 2
Case 3:19-cv-01538-G Document 1 Filed 06/26/19 Page 2 of 7 PageID 2
SEC v. Plummer Page 3 of 7
Complaint
regarding the document. The FINRA decision expelled Texas E&P from FINRA membership
and barred Plummer from association with any FINRA member. Plummer has a combined six
judgments from past FINRA arbitrations initiated by investors. Plummer is not registered with
the SEC in any capacity and remains barred by FINRA.
FACTS
I. PLUMMER HAS A LENGTHY HISTORY PROMOTING OIL AND GAS INVESTMENTS.
9. Plummer has been in the oil business for over thirty years. He founded numerous
entities related to his drilling projects—including oil and gas operating companies, funding
companies, service companies, and holding corporations.
10. Plummer has had many regulatory issues. In 2012, the Texas State Securities
Board issued an order against Chestnut Exploration for overcharging investors.2 FINRA has also
conducted multiple investigations of Plummer and his entities over many years for misuse of
investor funds and inadequate supervisory procedures, among other concerns. This resulted in
the expulsion and judgments in investor arbitrations discussed in Paragraph 8, above.
11. In January 2016, during the FINRA investigation, Plummer renamed Chestnut
Exploration to Texas E&P and continued fundraising for two projects under that name: East
Texas 2H and Salmon 2W. Fundraising for the East Texas 2H project was active from February
to September 2015. Salmon 2W fundraising was active from June 2015 through April 2017.
II. PLUMMER DISSEMINATED FALSE AND MISLEADING OFFERING MATERIALS TO
INVESTORS AND MISAPPROPRIATED INVESTOR FUNDS.
12. During this time period, Plummer marketed the Texas E&P securities using false
and misleading offering materials—including a Confidential Investor Memorandum (“CIM”).
2 In the Matter of the Dealer Registration of Chestnut Exploration Partners, Inc., Order No.
IC12-CAF-06 (Jan. 10, 2012).
Case 3:19-cv-01538-G Document 1 Filed 06/26/19 Page 3 of 7 PageID 3
Case 3:19-cv-01538-G Document 1 Filed 06/26/19 Page 3 of 7 PageID 3
SEC v. Plummer Page 4 of 7
Complaint
He distributed the CIM to any investor interested in purchasing the Texas E&P securities. In
total, at least 100 investors from at least 18 different states were solicited and invested in the
securities based on the representations in the CIM. These investors included several from the
state of Texas, including Granbury, Fort Worth, and Dallas in the Northern District.
13. The CIM contained false and misleading statements and/or omissions regarding
the use of investor funds. For example, the Salmon 2W CIM states that the offering’s objectives
are to: (1) acquire an interest in two oil and/or gas wells in Anderson County, Texas, and
participate in operations thereon; (2) provide cash distributions from operations; and (3) provide
tax benefits to investors. The CIM details that the investor funds are to be used as follows:
Expense Category Salmon 2W
Drilling (Turnkey Portion) 57.63%
Sales Expenses (including Commissions
and Organizational Expenses)
14.0%
Due Diligence 1.0%
Completion, Testing and Equipping 27.37%
TOTAL 100%
14. The CIM also discloses that Texas E&P will be entitled to a one-time
“management fee.” Though the fee is not quantified, it is defined as “an amount equal to the
excess, if any, of the Turnkey Drilling Price and/or the Turnkey Completion Price over the actual
cost of operations.” Therefore, the management fee cannot be calculated—much less paid—until
the cost of operations is known. Since the Salmon 2W well was never drilled, the cost of
operations remains unknown and Texas E&P is not entitled to a management fee on that well.
15. By April 2017, Plummer had raised a total of $6.1 million. He spent
approximately $5 million of this money on allowable expenses—such as lease acquisitions,
Case 3:19-cv-01538-G Document 1 Filed 06/26/19 Page 4 of 7 PageID 4
Case 3:19-cv-01538-G Document 1 Filed 06/26/19 Page 4 of 7 PageID 4
SEC v. Plummer Page 5 of 7
Complaint
utilities, legal fees, and permits. However, he also misappropriated $399,011 as follows:3
Expense Amount
Country Club $16,682.15
Various Restaurants $17,887.13
Various Retail Stores $45,651.25
College Tuition $9,028.50
Racquet Club $13,206.20
Income Taxes $144,462.58
Personal Transportation $14,706.96
Services/Memberships $2,667.99
Personal Travel $111,523.44
Other Miscellaneous $23,194.88
$399,011.19
16. Therefore, as Plummer knew or was reckless or negligent in not knowing, the
statements in the CIM regarding the use of investor funds were false. Plummer—who controlled
the Texas E&P bank accounts and credit cards—knew or should have known that hundreds of
thousands of dollars were being misappropriated. At a minimum, he knowingly, recklessly, or
negligently omitted to disclose this widespread misappropriation to investors.
FIRST CLAIM
Violations of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78j(b)]
and Rule 10b-5 thereunder [17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5]
17. Plaintiff SEC realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs 1 through 16 of
this Complaint as if set forth verbatim.
18. Defendant directly or indirectly, by using any means or instrumentality of
interstate commerce, or of the mails, or of any facility of any national securities exchange, in
connection with the purchase or sale of any security:
3 Plummer also commingled investor funds from the Salmon 2W and East Texas 2H projects in
violation of the CIM.
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SEC v. Plummer Page 6 of 7
Complaint
(a) employed a device, scheme, or artifice to defraud;
(b) made an untrue statement 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; and
(c) engaged in an act, practice, or course of business which operates or would operate
as a fraud or deceit upon any person.
19. Accordingly, the Defendant has violated and, unless enjoined, will again violate
Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78j(b)] and Rule 10b-5 thereunder [17 C.F.R.
§240.10b-5].
SECOND CLAIM
Violations of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. § 77q(a)]
20. Plaintiff SEC realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs 1 through 16 of
this Complaint as if set forth verbatim.
21. Defendant, in the offer or sale of any security, by the use of any means or
instruments of transportation or communication in interstate commerce or by use of the mails,
directly or indirectly:
(a) employed a device, scheme, or artifice to defraud;
(b) obtained money or property by means of an untrue statement of a material fact
or an omission of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
and
(c) engaged in a transaction, practice, or course of business which operates or would
operate as a fraud or deceit upon the purchaser.
22. Accordingly, Defendant has violated and, unless enjoined, will again violate
Section 17(a) of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. § 77q(a)].
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SEC v. Plummer Page 7 of 7
Complaint
REQUEST FOR RELIEF
The SEC respectfully requests that this Court:
I.
Permanently enjoin Defendant from violating, directly or indirectly, Section 10(b) of the
Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78j] and Rule 10b-5 thereunder [17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5], and Section
17(a) of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. §77q(a)].
II.
Order Defendant to disgorge an amount equal to the funds and benefits obtained illegally,
or to which Defendant otherwise has no legitimate claim, as a result of the violations alleged,
plus prejudgment interest on that amount.
III.
Order Defendant to pay a civil penalty pursuant to Section 20(d) of the Securities Act [15
U.S.C. § 77t(d)] and Section 21(d) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78u(d)] for the violations
alleged herein.
IV.
Order such other relief as this Court may deem just and proper.
June 26, 2019 Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Chris Davis
CHRIS DAVIS
Plaintiff’s Lead Attorney
Texas Bar No. 24050483
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Burnett Plaza, Suite 1900
801 Cherry Street, Unit 18
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Telephone: (817) 900-2638
FAX: (817) 978-4927
E-mail: [email protected]
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JS 44 (Rev. 06/17) CIVIL COVER SHEET
The JS 44 civil cover sheet and the information contained herein neither replace nor supplement the filing and service of pleadings or other papers as required by law, except as
provided by local rules of court. This form, approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974, is required for the use of the Clerk of Court for the
purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet. (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON NEXT PAGE OF THIS FORM.)
I. (a) PLAINTIFFS DEFENDANTS
(b) County of Residence of First Listed Plaintiff County of Residence of First Listed Defendant
(EXCEPT IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES) (IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY)
NOTE: IN LAND CONDEMNATION CASES, USE THE LOCATION OF
THE TRACT OF LAND INVOLVED.
(c) Attorneys (Firm Name, Address, and Telephone Number) Attorneys (If Known)
II. BASIS OF JURISDICTION (Place an “X” in One Box Only) III. CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES (Place an “X” in One Box for Plaintiff
(For Diversity Cases Only) and One Box for Defendant)
1 U.S. Government 3 Federal Question PTF DEF PTF DEF
Plaintiff (U.S. Government Not a Party) Citizen of This State 1 1 Incorporated or Principal Place 4 4
of Business In This State
2 U.S. Government 4 Diversity Citizen of Another State 2 2 Incorporated and Principal Place 5 5
Defendant (Indicate Citizenship of Parties in Item III) of Business In Another State
Citizen or Subject of a 3 3 Foreign Nation 6 6
Foreign Country
IV. NATURE OF SUIT (Place an “X” in One Box Only) Click here for: Nature of Suit Code Descriptions.
CONTRACT TORTS FORFEITURE/PENALTY BANKRUPTCY OTHER STATUTES
110 Insurance PERSONAL INJURY PERSONAL INJURY 625 Drug Related Seizure 422 Appeal 28 USC 158 375 False Claims Act
120 Marine 310 Airplane 365 Personal Injury - of Property 21 USC 881 423 Withdrawal 376 Qui Tam (31 USC
130 Miller Act 315 Airplane Product Product Liability 690 Other 28 USC 157 3729(a))
140 Negotiable Instrument Liability 367 Health Care/ 400 State Reapportionment
150 Recovery of Overpayment 320 Assault, Libel & Pharmaceutical PROPERTY RIGHTS 410 Antitrust
& Enforcement of Judgment Slander Personal Injury 820 Copyrights 430 Banks and Banking
151 Medicare Act 330 Federal Employers’ Product Liability 830 Patent 450 Commerce
152 Recovery of Defaulted Liability 368 Asbestos Personal 835 Patent - Abbreviated 460 Deportation
Student Loans 340 Marine Injury Product New Drug Application 470 Racketeer Influenced and
(Excludes Veterans) 345 Marine Product Liability 840 Trademark Corrupt Organizations
153 Recovery of Overpayment Liability PERSONAL PROPERTY LABOR SOCIAL SECURITY 480 Consumer Credit
of Veteran’s Benefits 350 Motor Vehicle 370 Other Fraud 710 Fair Labor Standards 861 HIA (1395ff) 490 Cable/Sat TV
160 Stockholders’ Suits 355 Motor Vehicle 371 Truth in Lending Act 862 Black Lung (923) 850 Securities/Commodities/
190 Other Contract Product Liability 380 Other Personal 720 Labor/Management 863 DIWC/DIWW (405(g)) Exchange
195 Contract Product Liability 360 Other Personal Property Damage Relations 864 SSID Title XVI 890 Other Statutory Actions
196 Franchise Injury 385 Property Damage 740 Railway Labor Act 865 RSI (405(g)) 891 Agricultural Acts
362 Personal Injury - Product Liability 751 Family and Medical 893 Environmental Matters
Medical Malpractice Leave Act 895 Freedom of Information
REAL PROPERTY CIVIL RIGHTS PRISONER PETITIONS 790 Other Labor Litigation FEDERAL TAX SUITS Act
210 Land Condemnation 440 Other Civil Rights Habeas Corpus: 791 Employee Retirement 870 Taxes (U.S. Plaintiff 896 Arbitration
220 Foreclosure 441 Voting 463 Alien Detainee Income Security Act or Defendant) 899 Administrative Procedure
230 Rent Lease & Ejectment 442 Employment 510 Motions to Vacate 871 IRS—Third Party Act/Review or Appeal of
240 Torts to Land 443 Housing/ Sentence 26 USC 7609 Agency Decision
245 Tort Product Liability Accommodations 530 General 950 Constitutionality of
290 All Other Real Property 445 Amer. w/Disabilities - 535 Death Penalty IMMIGRATION State Statutes
Employment Other: 462 Naturalization Application
446 Amer. w/Disabilities - 540 Mandamus & Other 465 Other Immigration
Other 550 Civil Rights Actions
448 Education 555 Prison Condition
560 Civil Detainee -
Conditions of
Confinement
V. ORIGIN (Place an “X” in One Box Only)
1 Original
Proceeding
2 Removed from
State Court
3 Remanded from
Appellate Court
4 Reinstated or
Reopened
5 Transferred from
Another District
(specify)
6 Multidistrict
Litigation -
Transfer
8 Multidistrict
Litigation -
Direct File
VI. CAUSE OF ACTION
Cite the U.S. Civil Statute under which you are filing (Do not cite jurisdictional statutes unless diversity):
Brief description of cause:
VII. REQUESTED IN
COMPLAINT:
CHECK IF THIS IS A CLASS ACTION
UNDER RULE 23, F.R.Cv.P.
DEMAND $ CHECK YES only if demanded in complaint:
JURY DEMAND: Yes No
VIII. RELATED CASE(S)
IF ANY (See instructions):
JUDGE DOCKET NUMBER
DATE SIGNATURE OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
RECEIPT # AMOUNT APPLYING IFP JUDGE MAG. JUDGE
- TXND (Rev. 06/17)
Securities and Exchange Commission Mark Allan Plummer
Collin
15 U.S.C. §77q(a)(2), 15 U.S.C. § 78j(b), and 17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5(b)
Securities offering fraud
June 26, 2019 /s Chris Davis
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