California Obtains $20.4 Million Judgment Against Oil and Gas Company

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SACRAMENTO (July 21, 2014) – The California Department of Business Oversight
(“Department”) has obtained a $20.4 million judgment against Synergy Oil, LLC and Robert
Falco (“Defendants”) for illegal sales and fraudulent marketing of oil and gas investments.

The judgment requires Defendants to pay $13.8 million in restitution to investors and $6.6 million in
civil penalties to the State of California. Synergy and Falco are also ordered to cease violations of a
2011 Desist and Refrain Order issued by the Department for the offer and sale of unqualified securities
and making misrepresentations or omissions in the offer and sale of securities.
“Synergy Oil defrauded investors with misrepresentations about the true nature of their business
dealings,” said Commissioner of Business Oversight Jan Lynn Owen. “The judgment upholds the
Department’s policy of swift and aggressive action against investment scams.”

The judgment was entered in Orange County Superior Court on June 24, 2014. The lawsuit, filed in
November 2012, alleged that the Newport Beach-based Defendants illegally sold investments in oil and
gas projects to a least 265 investors throughout the country, raising more than $13 million.
Consumers who are considering investments are advised to check the licensing status and enforcement
history of such business at the Department’s website, www.dbo.ca.gov. Consumers who believe they
may have been defrauded can file a complaint through the Department’s website as well.

A copy of the judgment and the 2011 order may be viewed at the Department website at
https://dfpi.ca.gov/ENF/List/S/synergyOil.asp.

On July 1, 2013, the Department of Corporations and the Department of Financial Institutions merged to
become the Department of Business Oversight. California consumers should contact the Department of
Business Oversight to check on the licensing and standing of the companies, investments or other financial
services they are considering at www.dbo.ca.gov or by calling 1-866-275-2677.

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