Phoenix, Ariz. - The Arizona Corporation Commission revoked the
investment adviser representative license of Luke M. Johnson of
Scottsdale and ordered him and his affiliated company Legend Capital
Group, Inc. to pay $229,241 in restitution and a $20,000 administration
penalty for committing securities fraud.
The Commission
found that Mr. Johnson, while licensed as an investment adviser
representative in Arizona, fraudulently sold GPB Capital limited
partnership interests to investors, many of whom were Arizona residents.
The
Commission found that Mr. Johnson made multiple misrepresentations to
investors about the partnership interests. First, the partnership
interests were illiquid and highly speculative investments, but Johnson
told investors they were solid, safe, or low risk.
Further,
the Commission found that Johnson misrepresented that he had personally
invested in GPB Capital, and after finding out that GPB Capital was
accused of being a Ponzi scheme he continued to solicit new investors
without disclosing that allegation.
The U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission is proceeding against GPB Capital and is seeking to
appoint a receiver for it to distribute assets to investors. Investors
can find information about that process at www.gpb-cap.com.