The allegations revolved around a complex financial situation in which CMB’s principals made extraordinary efforts to enhance and protect the collateral by preserving the ongoing operations of its borrower and affiliated companies

LOS ANGELES, April 18, 2025 – CMB Export LLC, a global leader in helping foreign nationals achieve permanent residency through the EB-5 immigrant investor program, announced its landmark victory in a civil trial. The three-week trial, presided over in Los Angeles, culminated in a jury verdict delivered on November 21, 2024. The jury ruled in favor of CMB Export and its principals in a unanimous verdict that was memorialized in a Judgement in favor of CMB Export that was filed by the court on April 2, 2025.

The allegations revolved around a complex financial situation in which CMB’s principals made extraordinary efforts to preserve the ongoing operations of its borrower and affiliated companies. When the borrower and its parent company were faced with significant financial challenges, the principals of CMB Export personally infused over $15 million into the borrower’s business to sustain operations in an effort to enhance and protect the collateral securing its loan.

At issue in the case were claims suggesting that CMB Export (the general partner) and its principals acted against the interests of the limited partnership and its stakeholders. Specifically, the plaintiffs alleged they were deprived of the opportunity to independently invest funds when CMB Export’s principals contributed over $15 million of their own money to stabilize and maintain operations of the borrower’s company. This effort was undertaken during a critical period to ensure the borrower’s health, sustain American job creation, and increase the overall value of its assets that serves as collateral for the limited partnership’s loan to position the borrower and its parent company for a future sale and repayment to its creditors.

The defense demonstrated that the principals’ actions not only allowed the borrower’s company and its parent company to continue operations, but also preserved the integrity of the limited partnership. Furthermore, CMB Export’s strategic decisions helped to enable the borrower’s company and its parent company to generate the required economic activity to meet the EB-5 program’s mandate of creating at least ten new American jobs per investor.

By assigning the full benefits of their $15 million loans to the limited partnership, the principals ensured that all limited partners—not a select few—benefited from their efforts. The jury validated this position, recognizing that the principals acted in the best interest of the limited partnership and all its investors.

“The jury’s verdict reaffirms what we have always stood for—acting transparently and with integrity to benefit every member of our limited partnership,” said Pat Hogan, Manager of CMB Export “The decision to personally step in and provide financial support to stabilize the borrower’s company was not made lightly. This victory highlights our unwavering commitment to both CMB’s mission and the trust of our valued investors.”

The legal team at Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP represented CMB Export in this case, demonstrating their expertise in navigating complex civil litigation. Their strategic approach and in-depth understanding of fiduciary law played a critical role in securing the favorable verdict.

Notably, CMB Export and its affiliates continue to deliver on the primary goal of the EB-5 program—helping investor’s secure permanent residency (green cards) in the United States. Every limited partner within the limited partnership central to this case has successfully achieved this outcome.