Our Broker-Dealer Fraud Lawyers Are Investigating Investor Losses

Our Broker-Dealer Fraud Lawyers are investigating DFPG Investments advisor Brian Ashley King and other brokers for allegedly selling unsuitable EcoVest Capital Syndicated Conservation Easements to investors. These high-risk private placements, targeted by the DOJ and IRS as alleged tax scams, have left retail investors facing severe principal losses, back taxes, and penalties.

If you were an investor whose financial advisor marketed and sold you EcoVest Capital Syndicated Conservation Easement (SCE) that led to you sustaining serious losses, Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas Broker-Dealer Fraud Lawyers (investorlawyers.com) want to talk to you. There are growing concerns that these private placements were unsuitably marketed by brokers to customers, including retail customers. The Internal Revenue Service has placed SCEs on its Dirty Dozen list of alleged tax scams.

Already, we are investigating DFPG Investments financial advisor Brian Ashley King over the sale of SCEs to customers. King, who has been a registered representative for 27 years, is also an investment adviser with Diversify Advisory Services. We are also looking into other financial advisors and broker-dealers that sold EcoVest Capital Syndication Conservation Easements.

What Are EcoVest Capital Syndicated Conservation Easements?

• These private placements were marketed as tax shelters.
• Investors were told their funds would be pooled toward purchasing and developing land and that they would get a tax deduction.
• In 2018, EcoVest Capitaland related entities were sued by the US Department of Justice (DOJ), which accused them of hugely overvaluing appraisals and processing improper tax deductions.
• In 2023, without denying or admitting to the allegations, EcoVest Capital and a number of principals agreed to be barred from selling, promoting, or facilitating conservation-easement deduction programs.

Investors of the following were supposed to be notified about this order:

• Santa Bahia Holdings, LLC
• River Trace Resort Holdings, LLC
• Greenway Landing Holdings, LLC
• Birch Equestrian Holdings, LLC
• Brunswick Highlands Holdings, LLC
• Wilderness Lake Properties Holdings, LLC

What Kind of Losses Is EcoVest Capital Syndicated Conservation Easement Looking At?

• A decline in the syndicated conservation easement’s value.
• Loss of principal.
• IRS penalties and interest.
• After deduction allowances, there may be federal and state taxes to be paid.

Why Might My Broker Be Liable For My EcoVest Capital SCE Losses?

Brokerage firms have a duty to conduct the proper due diligence and ensure suitability of any investment recommendation they make to customers. As a syndicated conservation easement investor, you may be able to sue your financial advisor for damages if they:

• Failed to properly vet this investment.
• Did not thoroughly investigate IRS risks.
• Misrepresented the deduction involved.
• Did not disclose tax penalties, valuation, or liquidity risks.
• Overconcentrated your funds in risky private placements.
• Neglected to fully inform you of the commissions they received.
• And more.

Already, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has noted that there are brokerage firms that failed to properly look into syndicated conservation-easement investments before marketing and selling them to investors.

The best way to find out whether you have grounds for an investment loss recovery claim against your brokerage firm for your SCE losses is to speak with one of our seasoned syndicated conservation easement recovery attorneys today.

Why Can’t I Just Avail of The IRS’ Time-Limited Settlement Opportunity for Qualifying Taxpayers Involved in Syndicated Conservation Easements?

• IR-2026-65 is not going to get you your money back.
• What it may do is have you give up your charitable deductions that you claimed, pay back taxes along with interest, and reduce your penalty to 10% if you settle fast.
• Suing your broker for unsuitability, misrepresentations, and omissions, negligence, overconcentration, supervisory failures, Regulation Best Interest violations, and more can maximize your chances for a full financial recovery.

Explore Your Legal Options Regarding Your EcoVest Syndicated Conservation Easements Losses Today

Call (800) 259-9010 or contact us online.