Pharmacielo Ltd (TSXV: PCLO) is the latest target of short sellers Hindenburg Research, with Hindenburg alleging that the company has undisclosed third party transactions, significant operational failures, as well as the CEO having a past of of securities fraud allegations.
The short report, which was produced in conjunction with the well known twitter user @BettingBruiser, primarily focuses on the CEO Anthony Wile and his actions in developing the company. The report begins with Hindenburg highlighting that Pharmacielo was founded as Wile was finishing a five year ban from the SEC preventing him from serving as an officer or director to a publicly traded firm due to allegations of securities fraud, stock promotion, and market manipulation.
The report also alleges that the key property owned by Pharmacielo, known as Rionegro property, was purchased through a bankrupt company co-founder, via a Panamanian entity that is alleged to be linked to Wile as well. After being sold to Pharmacielo, its alleged that insiders enriched themselves by up to $5.35 million via the sale. The Rionegro property itself, which houses the firms oil processing centre, has seen construction delays lasting in excess of six months and remains unfinished. And the greenhouse facilities, as per discussions with locals, are alleged to have frequent mold and residual pesticide issues as well.
Hindenburg has also raised questions about Pharmacielo’s other property acquisitions, namely 3.6 hectares purchased within Columbia’s Cauca region. The company disclosed paying $865,000 for the property, as well as issuing 210,000 shares in conjunction with the transaction. Local land records obtained by Hindenburg however identify that the property was sold for only $127,000, and co-op leaders in the area confirmed they received no shares of the company in relation to the transaction. The field, which was to house greenhouses and be operated by those same co-cop leaders, currently sits undeveloped.
The full Hindenburg Research short report can be found here.
Pharmacielo last traded at $1.94 on the TSX Venture.
Information for this briefing was found via Hindenburg Research. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
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