The financial fallout from syndicated conservation easements continues to hit Main Street investors, and a new arbitration claim underscores just how costly these tax-driven products can become when the IRS pushes back. A national securities law firm has stepped in on behalf of one investor who now faces hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax liabilities on top of lost principal.
COLUMBIA, SC, UNITED STATES, October 23, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — National investment loss and securities law firm KlaymanToskes announces the filing of a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) arbitration claim against Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., as successor-in-interest to Dempsey Lord Smith, LLC. The claim, FINRA Case No. 26-02308, seeks up to $1 million on behalf of an investor who allegedly suffered investment losses and substantial tax-related damages arising from six Webb Creek syndicated conservation easement investments recommended by financial advisor Gregory G. Gibson (CRD# 1694647).
KlaymanToskes represents investors in claims involving Webb Creek, EcoVest, and other syndicated conservation easements. Investors who purchased conservation easements through Gibson, Dempsey Lord Smith, Cambridge, or another brokerage firm are encouraged to contact KlaymanToskes at 888-997-9956 or investigations@klaymantoskes.com for a free and confidential consultation to discuss their potential recovery options.
According to the Statement of Claim, Gibson recommended that the investor purchase six Webb Creek conservation easements between 2016 and 2021, totaling over $200,000. The investments included Vibrant Minerals, Tarpon Creek, Paint Rock Farms, Standing Rock, Pitts Chapel, and Cole Creek.
The claim alleges that the Webb Creek investments were presented as legitimate tax strategies expected to generate charitable deductions worth several times the amounts invested. The investor, who had no prior experience with syndicated conservation easements, relied upon Gibson and the brokerage firm to investigate the investments and explain their risks. Instead, he was allegedly told that the IRS could not challenge the deductions after three years and was later reassured that Webb Creek was successfully addressing the IRS examinations.
All six investments are now under IRS challenge, exposing the investor to an estimated $600,000 to $700,000 in back taxes, penalties, and interest, in addition to his investment losses and tax-counsel expenses.
“Investors who purchased syndicated conservation easements relied upon their financial professionals to determine whether these complex, tax-driven investments were legitimate and appropriate,” said Lawrence L. Klayman, Managing Partner of KlaymanToskes. “When the promised deductions are disallowed, investors may face losses extending far beyond their original investment, including substantial tax liabilities, penalties, interest, and professional expenses.”
The claim alleges that Dempsey Lord Smith failed to conduct adequate due diligence into the investments’ valuation, appraisal, tax, audit, penalty, liquidity, and regulatory risks. It further alleges that the firm failed to reasonably supervise Gibson’s repeated recommendations and adequately disclose the financial consequences if the IRS challenged or disallowed the deductions.
As of October 20, 2026, Gibson’s current FINRA BrokerCheck report reflects four settled customer disputes involving direct participation programs and limited partnership interests, with reported settlements totaling $409,663, as well as two regulatory events. Gibson was registered with Dempsey Lord Smith from 2012 through 2025 and is currently registered with Cambridge in Simpsonville, South Carolina.
Investors who suffered losses or tax-related damages involving Webb Creek or other syndicated conservation easements are encouraged to contact KlaymanToskes at 888-997-9956 or investigations@klaymantoskes.com for a free and confidential consultation to discuss their potential recovery options.
About KlaymanToskes
KlaymanToskes is a leading national securities law firm which practices exclusively in the field of securities arbitration and litigation on behalf of retail and institutional investors throughout the world in large and complex securities matters. The firm has recovered over $650 million in Securities Litigation and FINRA Arbitration matters. KlaymanToskes has office locations in California, Florida, Nebraska, New York, and Puerto Rico.
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Contact
Lawrence L. Klayman, Esq.
KlaymanToskes, PLLC
+1 888-997-9956
investigations@klaymantoskes.com
Why it matters: This case highlights the growing regulatory scrutiny of syndicated conservation easements, a strategy that has drawn repeated IRS challenges and investor complaints. For anyone who relied on a broker to vet such complex tax products, the claim serves as a reminder that due diligence failures can carry consequences far beyond the initial investment.
