Willis

Background 23 This case arises out of Plaintiff EnSource Investment, LLC’s purchase of securities 24 in a start-up company, the Hopewell – Pilot Project, LLC (“Hopewell”). On March 28, 25 2016, Defendant Mark A. Willis formed Hopewell to use title searching technology to 26 identify unleased lands in Texas containing oil and gas interests, purchase those leases, and 27 use or flip those leases for a profit. (Doc. Nos. 136-2, Willis Decl. ¶¶ 2, 4; 136-5, Ex. T.) 28 Defendant Willis served as CEO and President of Hopewell, and he led Hopewell’s efforts to solicit potential investors. (Doc. Nos. 136-4, Ex. C at 61, Ex. D at 81–82, 94; 138-4; 154-3, Willis Decl. ¶ 8; 154-8, Ex. AH at 417.) On December 27, 2018, Plaintiff filed an amended complaint in this Court alleging that Defendant defrauded Plaintiff when soliciting Plaintiff’s investment in Hopewell, in violation of the Securities Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78j. (Doc. No. 93.) On February 4, 2020, this action came before the Court for a jury trial. (Doc. No. 195.) After the close of Plaintiff’s case-in-chief, Defendant filed a motion for judgment as a matter of law on Plaintiff’s securities…