The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has charged Imer Gomez, a 28-year-old San Antonio resident, along with his affiliated businesses, K&G Investment Solutions LLC and Helios Venture Fund LLC, with orchestrating a fraudulent investment scheme that defrauded clients of approximately $9 million.
According to the SEC’s complaint, from August 2021 through September 2023, Gomez posed as an experienced investment adviser, promising clients monthly double-digit returns through active trading and falsely claiming their accounts were insured for up to 75% of their value. Most victims were members of the local Hispanic community, enticed with visions of high returns and financial security.
In reality, no actual investments were made. The SEC alleges Gomez never opened or managed real client brokerage accounts, never traded securities on their behalf, and never obtained insurance for their funds. Instead, he misappropriated the money for personal use, funding a “lavish lifestyle,” and to prop up the scheme. The operation functioned as a Ponzi-like fraud, with Gomez using portions of new investors’ deposits to pay “Ponzi” returns or bonuses to earlier clients and referral sources, creating the illusion of profitable trading.
Imer Gomez sent fake account statements showing fictitious gains to convince clients that their portfolios were growing, despite no actual trades having occurred. By mid-2023, Gomez had exhausted incoming funds, and the scheme began to collapse. To cover the shortfall, he told investors a “sudden liquidation” event had wiped out their accounts and falsely promised a bailout loan to reimburse losses, which never existed.
Parties Involved and Their Roles
- Imer A. Gomez – Principal Defendant: A dual U.S.–Mexican citizen residing in San Antonio, Gomez orchestrated the fraud despite having no formal investment management background, previously describing himself as a “professional gambler.” He controlled K&G and Helios, using these entities to solicit investors, falsely guaranteeing high returns and insurance. Gomez misled clients, misappropriated approximately $9 million, and issued fake statements to perpetuate the scheme.
- K&G Investment Solutions, LLC – Business Name Used by Gomez (Defendant): K&G was an alias for Gomez’s advisory activities, presented as an investment firm but never registered with the SEC or state regulators. Clients signed agreements under the K&G name, but it had no legitimate operations beyond Gomez’s fraudulent handling of funds.
- Helios Venture Fund, LLC – Entity Controlled by Gomez (Defendant): A Texas LLC with Gomez as President and CFO, Helios was marketed as an investment fund but was merely a vehicle for the scheme. Gomez used it to pool and distribute client money, including transfers to relief defendants, and to issue false statements.
- Eric Claxton – Relief Defendant: A 47-year-old San Antonio resident and father of Gomez’s ex-girlfriend, Claxton received approximately $666,000 of client funds from Gomez, some labeled as personal loans, used partly for real estate purchases. He is not accused of fraud but must return the funds as a relief defendant.
- Heather Claxton – Relief Defendant: Eric’s wife, also 47, jointly received portions of the $666,000 in fraud proceeds. Like her husband, she is not accused of wrongdoing but is named as a relief defendant to recover the funds.
Summary of Parties, Roles, and SEC Actions
| Party | Role & Alleged Misconduct | SEC Action (Charges/Relief) |
|---|---|---|
| Imer Gomez | Orchestrated scheme; falsely promised high returns and insurance; misappropriated ~$9M; issued fake statements | Charged with securities fraud (Securities Act §17(a), Exchange Act §10(b) & Rule 10b-5, Advisers Act §§206(1)–(2)). SEC seeks injunction, disgorgement, penalties. |
| K&G Investment Solutions, LLC | Business name used by Gomez; presented as an unregistered adviser; facilitated fraud | Charged as defendant; liable with Gomez; subject to disgorgement of funds. |
| Helios Venture Fund, LLC | Gomez-controlled LLC; purported “fund” with no trading; used to pool and transfer funds | Charged as co-defendant; liable for fraud violations; SEC seeks joint disgorgement of ~$9M. |
| Eric Claxton | Relief defendant; received ~$666,000 of stolen funds, used for real estate | Not charged with fraud; SEC seeks disgorgement of ~$666,000 plus interest. |
| Heather Claxton | Relief defendant; jointly received ~$666,000 of fraud proceeds | Not charged with fraud; SEC seeks disgorgement of funds received, jointly with Eric. |
Timeline of Key Events and Transactions
- August 2021 – Scheme Launch: Gomez began soliciting investors under K&G/Helios, promising high returns and signing advisory agreements. Initial deposits started in late 2021.
- March–April 2022: Eric Claxton invested $100,000 with Helios. By June 2022, Gomez returned the $100,000, possibly to build trust, while recruiting more clients, primarily from the Hispanic community.
- Mid-2022 – Early 2023: The scheme accelerated, raising millions with no investments made. Gomez paid Eric Claxton ~$196,000 from client funds and continued issuing fake statements.
- June–August 2023: As investments slowed, Gomez transferred an additional ~$370,000 to the Claxtons, totaling ~$666,000. He continued issuing fake statements to mask the fraud.
- September 19, 2023 – Collapse Revealed: Gomez announced a “sudden liquidation” event, falsely claiming a bailout loan would cover losses. No loan existed, and the scheme collapsed.
- Late 2023 – Early 2024: Promised reimbursements never materialized. By February 2024, clients received nothing, and Gomez ceased communications.
- July 14, 2025 – SEC Enforcement Action: The SEC filed a civil complaint (Case No. 5:25-cv-00805) in the U.S. District Court (Western District of Texas), charging Gomez, K&G, and Helios with fraud, naming the Claxtons as relief defendants.
SEC Legal Proceedings and Charges Filed
In SEC v. Gomez et al. (W.D. Tex. 2025), filed July 14, 2025, the SEC charged Gomez, K&G, and Helios with violating:
- Securities Act of 1933 – Section 17(a): Prohibits fraud in the offer or sale of securities.
- Securities Exchange Act of 1934 – Section 10(b) and Rule 10b-5: Targets deceptive practices in securities transactions.
- Investment Advisers Act of 1940 – Sections 206(1) and 206(2): Outlaws fraudulent conduct by investment advisers.
The case, filed in San Antonio, demands a jury trial. The SEC named Eric and Heather Claxton as relief defendants to recover ~$666,000 in fraud proceeds. The litigation, led by SEC attorneys Tyson Lies and Keefe M. Bernstein, may involve asset freezes and preliminary injunctions.
Penalties and SEC Actions Sought
The SEC seeks:
- Permanent Injunctions: To bar Gomez from future securities law violations, preventing him from acting as an investment adviser.
- Disgorgement of Ill-Gotten Gains: Gomez and Helios to repay ~$9 million plus interest, held jointly liable. The Claxtons to disgorge ~$666,000 plus interest.
- Civil Monetary Penalties: Fines on Gomez, potentially substantial, based on the fraud’s severity.
- Other Relief: Additional court orders, such as post-judgment interest or industry bans, as deemed appropriate.
These are civil actions; no criminal charges have been announced, though the scheme’s nature could attract criminal investigation.
Impact and Outcomes for Defrauded Clients
Many victims were presumably individuals and families in the San Antonio area (often from the Hispanic community) who trusted Gomez with their savings. When the scheme collapsed, these clients were left with empty accounts and false promises.
The SEC’s intervention is aimed at making these investors whole, or at least partially compensating them. If the SEC’s case is successful, any recovered monies (disgorged funds from Gomez, Helios, or the Claxtons) would likely be distributed to the defrauded clients.
In an official release, the SEC emphasized it is seeking the return of client money and has taken steps to identify assets (like the Claxtons’ real estate purchase) that can be liquidated for investors’ benefit.
However, it is important to note that recovery can be challenging – if much of the $9 million was spent on a lavish lifestyle or lost, the actual funds available to claw back may be limited. The inclusion of relief defendants suggests the SEC is trying to recapture whatever assets of value remain.
At this stage (mid-2025), the case is ongoing and no final judgment or settlement has been reached. The court will ultimately decide on liability and remedies. In the meantime, investors may have pursued their own legal actions as well – for example, some clients reportedly filed a separate lawsuit in 2024 to freeze assets and seek redress.
The outcome for the clients will depend on the success of these efforts. Best-case scenario, a substantial portion of the $9 million could be returned if assets are found; worst-case, clients might end up with only pennies on the dollar (or nothing) if the money is fully dissipated.
What is clear is that the fraud has had a serious impact on the victims. They were lured by false hopes of secure, high returns (some even believing they were building “generational wealth” for their families). Instead, they became victims of a Ponzi-like scam. The SEC’s continuing litigation and any parallel investigations will be key in determining whether justice and compensation will be achieved for those investors going forward.
