A Kentucky Man, Jared Forrester charged for Role in Nationwide Oil Investment Scheme

The Securities and Exchange Commission charged a 35-year-old Jared Forrester for his role in a scheme that resulted in the fraudulent offering and sale of at least $15 million of securities to more than 150 investors.

The SEC’s complaint alleges that Jared Gabriel Forrester was installed as a figurehead to run Tennessee-based Tennstar Energy Group, Inc., formerly known as Black Gold Resources, Inc. He misled investors by failing to disclose that two convicted felons actually were running the company. Despite having no background in oil drilling or production efforts, Tennstar’s website allegedly described Jared Forrester as having “an immense knowledgebase in oil and gas development and how to effectively maximize profits.” Tennstar offering materials also allegedly claimed that Jared Forrester “had a multitude of roles within the petroleum industry over the years.” The complaint further alleges that Jared Forrester even told one Tennstar investor that he had “worked his way up through the oil fields” and had been in the industry during his “whole adult life.” However, Jared Forrester’s work history mainly consisted of jobs in hotels and retail furniture sales, as well as a stint as a stock broker trainee.

Last year, the SEC charged David Greenlee and David Stewart, the two ringleaders behind the oil investment scheme for raising millions from investors, telling participants that the funds would be used to acquire interests in well leases and to recover oil from the wells. Instead, they steered most of the money into advertising, sales commissions, or misappropriated the money for personal use. In addition to misstatements about his own experience, Jared Forrester assisted David Greenlee and David Stewart with the overall operation of the fraudulent scheme. For example, he incorporated the company at their request, made improper payments to Tennstar sales teams, and sent investor funds to bank accounts controlled by David Greenlee and David Stewart.

Without admitting or denying the allegations in the SEC’s complaint, Jared Forrester consented to the entry of a final judgment that permanently enjoins him from future violations of the antifraud provisions of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as well as Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and orders him to pay disgorgement plus interest and civil penalties in amounts to be determined by the court upon motion of the Commission.

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