A courtroom where the SEC is addressing allegations of fraud against WeedGenics.
The SEC has launched a legal action against WeedGenics, a cannabis investment company, accusing its executives of fraud and misappropriation of funds. The focus is on seeking nearly $38 million from Rolf Max Hirschmann and Patrick Earl Williams, who allegedly misled over 350 investors, utilizing funds for personal luxuries. The high-stakes case unfolds with significant penalties and investigations into the company’s claimed revenues and operations.
Santa Ana has recently found itself at the center of a high-stakes litigation involving WeedGenics, a cannabis investment company accused of pulling off an elaborate fraud scheme. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is going after nearly $38 million from two of the company’s executives, sending shockwaves through the investment community. The focus is on Rolf Max Hirschmann and Patrick Earl Williams, both of whom allegedly misled investors and abused company funds.
The SEC’s legal action details Hirschmann’s responsibility for around $20.5 million in disgorgement, a term that essentially means he must pay back the profits he earned from the alleged fraud. On top of that, he faces a staggering $7.5 million in prejudgment interest and a $10.8 million civil penalty. Williams isn’t far behind, being hit with nearly $7 million in disgorgement, $2.6 million in prejudgment interest, and a civil penalty close to $7 million.
As the case unfolds, U.S. District Judge John Holcomb will be weighing these requests in federal court. According to the SEC, their actions imply that they’re wrapping up their civil case tied to these serious accusations of fraud, extravagant spending, and misrepresentation of business operations.
Interestingly, Hirschmann’s legal team has tried to bow out of the case due to unpaid fees. However, before making their exit, they managed to broker a settlement with the SEC. As for Williams, he hasn’t made any public statements regarding the proceedings, and there’s no indication that he has legal representation at this time.
The SEC’s lawsuit, initiated in 2023, paints a troubling picture. WeedGenics reportedly gathered nearly $62 million from over 350 investors through what’s described as a Ponzi-like scheme. Investors were misled from the outset; the SEC claims that the company falsely advertised its cannabis facilities and misappropriated funds for luxuries such as Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and BMWs, lavish jewelry, and even cash withdrawals for personal use.
Hirschmann worked as the investor relations representative, while Williams took on the dual roles of chairman and president. The allegations against them are particularly colorful, with Hirschmann allegedly adopting the alias Max Bergmann to communicate with investors. Meanwhile, Williams, known in another life as the rapper BigRigBaby, is accused of using investor cash to fuel his music career.
To make matters worse, WeedGenics is claimed to have falsely represented its Las Vegas cannabis facility as generating $18 million annually and hinted at a new California location that would supposedly ramp up revenue to an incredible $54 million. The company asserted that it had obtained necessary licenses and permits, which the SEC alleges never existed.
While WeedGenics boasted about having an operational hub located in the well-known Hughes Center office park near the Las Vegas Strip, local dispensaries flat-out denied any association with the company.
To get a grip on the aftermath of this situation, a court-appointed receiver, Krista Freitag, has issued more than 240 subpoenas and has managed to recover over $8 million in cash, along with 14 vehicles, six properties, and various treasures like jewelry and artwork. Last fall, Judge Holcomb even gave the green light for the sale of Hirschmann’s home in Las Vegas for around $1.1 million.
While the SEC has put forth serious allegations and is working toward a resolution, it’s crucial to note that no criminal charges have been leveled against either Hirschmann or Williams at this stage. As the case continues to unfold, all eyes will be on Santa Ana as this high-profile story develops.
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