SEC Charges Back to Green Mining, LLC, and Managing Members with Fraud

The SEC accused the company and individuals of participating in a fraudulent and unregistered offering. 

The SEC charged Puerto Rico-based Back to Green Mining, LLC and its two managing members, José Jiménez Cruz and Manuel Portalatin, for their participation in a fraudulent and unregistered offering in a purported “green” mining venture.

The SEC’s complaint alleges that from August 2016 until at least 2020, Back to Green, Jiménez, and Portalatin offered and sold to retail investors in Puerto Rico and at least five U.S. states the opportunity to share in the profits of a purported Colombian gold mining operation. According to the SEC, the offering, which was not registered with the Commission, was part of a fraudulent scheme that raised approximately $2.7 million. Jiménez and Back to Green allegedly placed advertisements promising investors exorbitant returns and presented investors with materials that falsely stated that all permits necessary to mine in Colombia had been obtained. Subsequent to the provision of these materials, Portalatin allegedly signed contracts with investors when he knew that they had been misled.

Back to Green, Jimenez, and Portalatin were charged by the SEC with violating Sections 17(a), 5(a), and 5(c) of the Securities Act of 1933 [15 U.S.C. §§ 77q(a), 78e(a), and 78e(c)], and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder [15 U.S.C. § 78q(b), 17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5]. The SEC seeks permanent injunctions, disgorgement of allegedly ill-gotten gains plus interest, and civil penalties against Back to Green, Jiménez, and Portalatin.

Without admitting or denying the allegations in the complaint, Portalatin has offered to agree to permanent injunctions from future violations of the charged provisions and from participating in securities offerings not registered with the SEC, and to pay disgorgement of $605,462, plus prejudgment interest thereon in the amount of $64,312.25, and a civil penalty of $160,000. The settlement is subject to the approval of the district court.

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The Sonn Law Group is currently investigating allegations surrounding Back to Green Mining, LLC. We represent investors in claims against negligent brokers and brokerage firms. If you or your loved one experienced investment losses, we are here to help. For a free consultation, please call us now at 866-827-3202 or complete our contact form.