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EcoVest Capital Syndicated Conservation Easements: Investor Loss Investigation

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Updated on: June 12, 2025

National investment loss lawyers KlaymanToskes is investigating brokerage firms and financial advisors who recommended unsuitable syndicated conservation easement investments through EcoVest Capital. These transactions have been flagged by the IRS and Department of Justice as abusive tax shelters, with EcoVest named as a central promoter in multiple high-risk investment offerings.

The IRS has identified syndicated conservation easements as one of the “worst of the worst” tax scams, placing them on its annual “Dirty Dozen” list, and federal authorities have launched enforcement actions seeking to recover billions in improper deductions. If your financial advisor recommended an EcoVest Capital conservation easement investment that resulted in significant tax liabilities or financial losses, you may be eligible for a financial recovery through the filing of a FINRA arbitration claim.

Many EcoVest offerings were sold by investment firms such as:

  • Arkadios Capital
  • Centaurus Financial
  • DFPG Investments
  • Concorde Investment Services
  • Kalos Capital
  • Capital Investment Group
  • Center Street Securities
  • Lion Street Financial
  • United Planners Financial Services
  • The Strategic Financial Alliance

If you suffered losses in EcoVest Capital syndicated conservation easement investments, or any other investments due to unsuitable recommendations by your brokerage firm or financial advisor, contact securities attorney Steven D. Toskes at (888) 997-9956 or investigations@klaymantoskes.com for a free and confidential consultation to discuss potential recovery options. We do not collect attorney’s fees unless we are able to obtain a financial recovery for you.

KlaymanToskes Represents Conservation Easement Investors

KlaymanToskes is currently representing investors in claims against investment firms that recommended syndicated conservation easement investments.  The law firm is currently investigating brokerage firms around the nation that marketed and sold conservation easements to their customers as tax shelter investment opportunities. Financial advisors and their firms may have misrepresented the risk of IRS scrutiny, audit exposure, and the legality of these tax deductions, resulting in substantial financial liabilities for investors.

EcoVest Capital Syndicated Conservation Easement Offerings

EcoVest Capital has launched dozens of syndicated conservation easement offerings across the United States, many of which are now under IRS and DOJ scrutiny. These offerings were allegedly often promoted to high-net-worth individuals as private placement opportunities that could yield outsized charitable tax deductions.

EcoVest Capital Investment Offerings:

  • Miramar Pointe Holdings LLC
  • Ohoopee Holdings LLC
  • Cayacoa Bay Holdings LLC
  • Harbor Gate at Seadrift Holdings LLC
  • Espiritu Shores Holdings LLC
  • Indigo Sound Holdings LLC
  • Copano Cove Holdings LLC
  • Neuse Harbor Holdings LLC
  • Hammersmith Landing Holdings LLC
  • Montego Pointe Holdings LLC
  • Cottonwood Cove Holdings LLC
  • Tortuga Trace Holdings LLC
  • Punta Vista Grande Holdings LLC
  • EcoVest Total Return Fund LLC
  • Santo Bay Resort Holdings LLC
  • Tupelo Grove Holdings LLC
  • Azul Bay Resort Holdings LLC
  • Turkey Creek Resort Holdings LLC
  • Birkdale Landing Holdings LLC
  • Cayo Dorado Holdings LLC
  • Port Quay Resort Holdings LLC
  • Del Mar Vista Dunes Holdings LLC
  • Myrtle Cove Resort Holdings LLC
  • Monterrey Cove Holdings LLC
  • Waterway Grove Holdings LLC

These partnerships were reportedly often tied to land with speculative development potential, used to justify inflated appraisal values for conservation easement deductions. Many investors are now facing audits, back taxes, penalties, and the potential loss of their original investments as a result.

If you invested in any EcoVest-sponsored offerings, you may be entitled to recover your losses through a FINRA Arbitration Claim. Contact KlaymanToskes at 888-997-9956 or fill out a short contact form for a free and confidential consultation.

What is the EcoVest Capital Syndicated Conservation Easement Investment Strategy?

EcoVest Capital, based in Atlanta, Georgia, has been linked to more than 50 syndicated deals since 2009, generating over $1.7 billion in questionable federal tax deductions, according to the Department of Justice. Investors were allegedly told they could receive tax write-offs of 4 to 5 times their investment, with little disclosure about the IRS scrutiny or legal risks involved. Brokerage firms and financial advisors who sold EcoVest offerings may have violated regulatory standards by failing to conduct due diligence and placing investors in high-commission, high-risk, and potentially fraudulent investments.

EcoVest Capital structured private placement deals using partnerships like Miramar Pointe Holdings LLC, Ohoopee Holdings LLC, and Cayo Dorado Holdings LLC, among others. In one example cited by the DOJ, a $1.1 million land purchase in South Carolina generated a $39.7 million charitable deduction, leading to $4.12 in write-offs for every $1 invested. These tax benefits were allegedly based on dubious appraisals and aggressive structuring, now under IRS audit and enforcement.

IRS and DOJ Enforcement Actions Against EcoVest:

The IRS and Department of Justice have escalated enforcement efforts, citing EcoVest as a major promoter of syndicated tax shelters. The DOJ has filed civil fraud actions, and the IRS is examining more than 125 high-risk partnerships. EcoVest and its offerings are now the subject of:

  • DOJ civil complaints
  • Ongoing Senate Finance Committee investigation
  • Criminal and civil IRS scrutiny, and
  • Over 80 Tax Court cases challenging syndicated easement deductions. 

Key consequences for investors include:

  • Disallowed tax deductions,
  • IRS penalties up to 40% for valuation misstatements,
  • Required liquidation of personal assets or loans to cover back taxes,
  • Legal exposure related to Tax Court litigation, and
  • Loss of principal and missed investment returns.


Can I File a Lawsuit to Recover Losses?

To recover investment losses, you do not go through the traditional court system with a lawsuit. The only remedy is through a FINRA arbitration, a specific process designed for these types of disputes. This process involves presenting your case to a panel set by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), not a courtroom. This approach is streamlined and focused on investment disputes, making it a suitable and effective way for investors to seek compensation for losses caused by financial advisors or brokerage firms.

What is a FINRA Arbitration Claim?

FINRA (the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) is a self-regulatory organization that oversees brokers and brokerages. In the event of a dispute between an investor and their financial advisor, investors can choose to file a FINRA arbitration claim. FINRA is overseen by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

The arbitration process is designed to be much faster than the court system and allows both parties to present their case before a panel of arbitrators. The arbitrators will then decide how to resolve the dispute, including ordering the advisor to pay damages for any losses suffered by the investor.

If you purchased EcoVest Capital syndicated conservation easements, or suffered any other investment losses, you are encouraged to contact attorney Steven D. Toskes, at 888-997-9956 or by email at investigations@klaymantoskes.com to discuss potential recovery options. We do not collect attorney’s fees unless we are able to obtain a financial recovery for you.

Signs Investors Should Look Out For About Their Brokerage Accounts

As an investor, there are signs that you should look out for if you believe you have a claim against your broker/advisor for unsuitable investment recommendations in EcoVest Capital Syndicated Conservation Easements. These signs could potentially indicate misconduct, negligence, or investment fraud. Investors are encouraged to contact our firm immediately if you have experienced any of the following:

  • You have substantial losses in your investment accounts
  • You received a call, email, or other communication from your broker’s supervisor or manager regarding your portfolio
  • Your broker misrepresented investment opportunities, or failed to disclose details about investments
  • You notice unauthorized transactions in your investment accounts
  • Your broker is not returning your calls or emails
  • You filed a complaint with your brokerage firm that has not been resolved
  • You see a mistake on your statement, or receive a fraudulent statement

Some investors have close relationships with their brokers due to the time and trust built over the course of their investment relationship. However, it is crucial to remember that financial decisions should be based on careful analysis and due diligence rather than solely relying on personal relationships.

Engaging the services of an experienced securities attorney to evaluate your specific circumstances is strongly advised. At KlaymanToskes, our team of experienced securities attorneys has a deep understanding of this complex area of law, allowing us to provide invaluable insight and tailored guidance that directly addresses your individual needs.

If you purchased unsuitable EcoVest Capital Syndicated Conservation Easements, or any other unsuitable investments through your financial advisor/brokerage firm, and suffered significant losses, contact KlaymanToskes at 888-997-9956 or fill out a short contact form for a free and confidential consultation. ​​We do not collect attorney’s fees unless we are able to obtain a financial recovery for you.