Friday, August 6, 2010

SEC Charges Boiler Room Operators

The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged two California boiler-room operators and four salesmen for conducting a fraudulent green energy investment scheme. The SEC's complaint names as defendants, boiler-room operators Joseph R. Porche, age 51, of Aliso Viejo, CA, and Larry R. Crowder, age 53, of Newport Coast, CA; and salesmen Konrad C. Kafarski, age 40, of Trabuco Canyon, CA, Carlton L. Williams, age 51, of Coto de Caza, CA, Gary K. Juncker, age 47, of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, and Dale J. Engelhardt, age 46, of San Clemente, CA.

The SEC's complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana, alleges that between early 2008 to February 2009, Kensington Resources, Inc., through its principals, Porche and Crowder, and its salespeople, raised $11 million from approximately 200 investors nationwide selling unregistered shares of American Environmental Energy, Inc. ("AEEI") common stock. The SEC's complaint alleges that Porche, Crowder, and Kafarski falsely disclosed to investors that payments of sales commissions were limited to 10% of the funds raised, when, in reality, 25% of the funds raised were paid to salesmen and sales managers. The complaint further alleges that these defendants misrepresented how the funds raised would be used, telling investors that 80% of the funds raised would be used by AEEI to conduct its green energy business. In reality, most of the funds raised were kept by Porche and Crowder to fund their lavish lifestyles and only $315,000 of the $11 million raised went to AEEI.

No comments: