The SEC announced that it has obtained an emergency court order to freeze the assets of a South Florida man who has been charged with fraudulently offering investments in oil drilling projects.
The SEC’s complaint in federal court in West Palm
Beach, Fla., alleges that Joseph Hilton made numerous misrepresentations to
investors while selling limited partnership units in two oil drilling projects
earlier this year through his firm Pacific Northwestern Energy LLC. According to the court filing, Hilton
falsely told potential investors that Pacific acquired its wells from Exxon
Mobil Corp., and he overstated Pacific’s experience in the oil and gas industry
and the historical accomplishments of its drillers. Hilton raised approximately
$789,000 from investors.
The SEC’s action froze the assets of Hilton, Pacific, and the two limited partnerships — Rock Castle Drilling Fund LP and Rock Castle Drilling Fund II LP. The SEC alleges that Hilton’s securities offerings were not registered with the SEC as required under the federal securities laws.
The SEC’s action froze the assets of Hilton, Pacific, and the two limited partnerships — Rock Castle Drilling Fund LP and Rock Castle Drilling Fund II LP. The SEC alleges that Hilton’s securities offerings were not registered with the SEC as required under the federal securities laws.
The SEC’s complaint also includes allegations against Hilton,
Pacific, and another company controlled by Hilton called New Horizon Publishing
Inc. Through Pacific and New Horizon, Hilton additionally sold $2.5 million
worth of investments in oil drilling projects sponsored by United States Energy
Corp. while deceiving investors about his identity, the anticipated returns on
the investments, the amount of oil being produced by U.S. Energy’s wells, and
the existence of natural gas wells. Hilton also operated a boiler room of sales
representatives paid on a commission basis.
There are more details at the SEC's web site and its press release.
