The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission published a statement following a jury verdict in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado finding R. Brian Watson and his company, Northstar Commercial Partners, liable for intentional securities fraud tied to investor solicitations for real estate offerings. According to the evidence at trial, Watson and Northstar defrauded investors in 11 offerings over about 36 months by repeatedly representing that Watson “co-invested” his personal funds in every Northstar-sponsored real estate project alongside investors investing in common equity. The SEC stated these claims were materially false and misleading because Watson did not co-invest as promised, and that the misstatements facilitated a scheme and course of business that defrauded investors.
U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission 2026-01-30
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission wins jury verdict finding R. Brian Watson and Northstar Commercial Partners liable for intentional securities fraud
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission announced a jury verdict in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, finding R. Brian Watson and Northstar Commercial Partners liable for intentional securities fraud related to misleading investor solicitations in 11 real estate offerings. Watson falsely claimed personal co-investment in these projects, facilitating a fraudulent scheme over 36 months.