Versity Investments 65% · Book & Ladder 1/3 · vicepresidente de Emerson
Brian Jensen Nelson
Versity Investments 65%. Vicepresidente de Emerson Equity, CRD 5065593, desde diciembre de 2013. No es propietario divulgado del broker-dealer.
65% de Versity Investments. Vicepresidente de Emerson Equity, CRD 5065593, desde diciembre de 2013. No es propietario divulgado del broker-dealer.
Presentaciones
El Form D aún lo tiene en el grupo de venta de Vintage como representante de Emerson, y como vendedor a comisión en 14 presentaciones desde 345 Flats hasta Vintage / Wolf Run (persona relacionada en la mayor parte de ese libro). El PPM de Vintage (11 de enero de 2022) lo nombra único propietario de Versity Investments, garante carve-out sin recurso previsto del préstamo Walker & Dunlop / Freddie Mac, y un Series 7 / 63 de Emerson que «puede recibir honorarios de intermediación y comisiones de venta en relación con la Oferta». Confirmado en BrokerCheck: registrado en Emerson Equity desde el 2 de diciembre de 2013; título en Form U4 Vice President. Dominic Baldini es el único propietario del 5%+ (Form BD 75%+). Firmó la licencia de PI del 2 de abril de 2022 como firmante autorizado de Versity Investments, licenciando los nombres «Versity» / «Versity Investments» a Versity Invest.
23 divulgaciones al 19 ago 2026, incluida un reclamo pendiente de $7.3 millones y cinco sentencias pendientes de pago (entre ellas Volcano $3.2M, que él ha vinculado a Pebble Beach DST / College Yard). Ese ítem de Volcano es una sentencia distinta de los pagarés de capital residual de Apex. KHCA aún lo tiene como demandado alter-ego. Él ha alegado que sus firmas en la enmienda de KHCA de abril de 2022 fueron falsificadas. Es representante registrado en el mismo broker-dealer que vendió estos DST.
FAQ de Versity: Crew tomó la administración en 2022; el control se restauró después del arbitraje; «Brian is not affiliated with Crew in any way». Esa es su línea pública.
Arbitraje
El 28 de julio de 2025 presentó condado de Orange 30-2025-01499716 contra Crew, Wettengel, Muro, Book & Ladder, Axos Bank y Versity Investments, pidiendo al tribunal que ejecute un laudo final parcial de JAMS del 22 de julio de 2025 (Hon. John W. Kennedy Jr., Ret.; Refs. 5200001507 y 5200001580) sobre el control de cuentas bancarias. Esa demanda, su escrito, dice que la Fase I (ene 2025) halló que Crew incumplió el acuerdo del 3 de diciembre de 2023; la Fase II (mar–abr 2025) lo halló propietario al 100% de NBPRE y al 65% de Versity Investments; y que Axos y Chase no seguirían al árbitro sin una orden judicial.
La sentencia del condado de Orange del 22 de abril de 2026 en 30-2025-01534910 confirma el JAMS Final Award del 26 de noviembre de 2025. Recupera $14,550,000 más $166,834 de costas JAMS de Crew, Wettengel y Muro solidariamente. El laudo lo halla con el 65% de Versity Investments (derechos de control financiero), el 100% de NBPRE y el 33% de Book & Ladder. El precio de compra impago de $30 millones no se otorgó; el párrafo 11j restauró el statu quo ante al 3 de diciembre de 2023. Los reclamos de Molly Barr bajo el acuerdo separado del 2 de enero de 2024 quedaron fuera de la jurisdicción del árbitro. El detalle de la tabla de capital de Versity Investments está en esa página de empresa.
Demandas
Demandante nombrado con Versity Investments y NBPRE en 30-2025-01535878 (presentada el 24 de diciembre de 2025). Esa demanda alega daño posterior a diciembre de 2023 solo respecto a él y NBPRE (Versity I alega que no liberó). Recita su ruptura con Patrick: acuerdo escrito ~13 de marzo de 2018, división de activos el 13 de abril de 2018, laudo final el 6 de abril de 2021, sentencia el 24 de junio de 2021 en 30-2021-01197655. Melzer denegó la moción de Crew de forzar mediación en ese caso el 23 de julio de 2026. Alegaciones en la demanda.
Diecisiete DST del libro de Versity / NBPRE son demandantes en 30-2026-01543537 (presentada el 29 de enero de 2026), a través de sus fiduciarios. Miller Miller Gerber es abogado de registro. Él no es demandante nombrado en ese encabezado de DST.
Cronología
- 2007–2018Nelson Brothers. Split ~2018: Patrick to development, Brian to student housing → NB Private Capital → Versity Investments. Wettengel joins ~2015 as COO/GC; CEO from 2018. Muro is Nelson Brothers IR from 2009, COO from 2018.
- 27 May 2021Crayhill Credit Agreement. Senior secured revolving facility, 12.50%. Borrower Versity EquityCo (wholly owned via EquityCo Parent by Versity Investments). Parties Brian Nelson, Blake Wettengel, and Tanya Muro. Lenders are special purpose entities wholly owned by Crayhill Capital Management. Recited in the VIP Bonds circular.
- 24 Jun 2021Judgment on arbitration award, Brian Nelson v. Patrick Nelson, Orange County 30-2021-01197655-CU-PA-CJC. Recited in the later Versity I complaint (ROA 2). Split of Nelson Brothers assets; Brian’s line became NB Private Capital → Versity Investments. Pleading not pulled.
- 28 Oct 2021 first sale · Form D 2 Nov 20214th & J offering $49.6 million. Related: Nelson, Wettengel, Muro. Still Versity Investments.
- 11 Jan 2022Vintage PPM. Maximum offering $75.4 million; ~$62 million Walker & Dunlop / Freddie Mac; Emerson exclusive managing BD. Sponsor named as Versity Investments. Bridge equity ~$50.35 million via a revolving facility; default on an unrelated loan may divert Vintage proceeds. PPM estimates; Form D later lists $88.0 million.
- 2 Apr 2022BackOffice Services Agreement and IP license between Versity Investments and Versity Invest. Versity I (Blake Wettengel) provides ops, accounting, and payroll to Versity Invest (Tanya Muro); InvestCo pays Versity I payroll until it hires the staff. 12-month auto-renew. Same day: Versity I (Brian Nelson) licenses the names “Versity” / “Versity Investments” to Versity Invest; annual royalty via 10% promissory note, amount TBD. Ten days before Vintage close.
- 2–21 Apr 2022Operating agreement 12 Apr: two managers; initial CFO Jennifer Welker, CIO Frank Muhlon. Same day: Vintage Trust Agreement (IB 100%; Sorensen Entity Services Delaware Trustee; Vintage ST Signatory Trustee; Chris Sorensen Independent Trustee), master lease DST → Vintage LeaseCo (10 years 3 months), Book & Ladder PMA at 2.5% of Monthly Gross Revenues, Walker & Dunlop first mortgage $52,346,000, buy $119.6 million from Vintage Horizon Owner, LLC (PPM and IB complaint), and first sale; Vintage LeaseCo side letter sends excess revenue and disposition fees to Vintage IB until Full Redemption (KHCA is a third-party beneficiary); and the KHCA loan amendment naming the new sponsor — the VIP Bonds circular calls that first amendment the Crayhill Credit Facility and adds Versity Invest as co-guarantor. Form D 21 Apr 2022. Related persons: Wettengel and Muro. Nelson is on the Emerson selling-group line.
- 15 Aug 2023 · Nelson allegationNelson alleges Wettengel/Muro halted investor payments and started “overdue management fees.” Lines up with the later mass freeze.
- 20 Oct–7 Dec 2023Brian Nelson sues Blake in Orange County (20 Oct, 30-2023-01356667). Complaint is Exhibit C of the later Walk 1055 petition. Eighteen causes; named defendants include Wettengel, Muro, Versity Invest, Welker, and the four KHCA DSTs. Dismissed without prejudice 7 Dec — the settlement (term sheet 3 Dec 2023, attached as Exhibit A to the 26 Nov 2025 JAMS award and as Walk 1055 Exhibit D). Crew was to buy Nelson’s interests in Versity Investments, NBPRE, and Book & Ladder for $30 million. Closing deadline December 2024. ~18 properties eventually return to him; five stay with Crew.
- 2 Jan 2024Molly Barr Settlement Agreement (DST complaint). Separate from the Dec 2023 Nelson–Crew deal. The later OC suit alleges Crew still took $2,125,465 from sale escrow. Allegations.
- Apr–May 2024KHCA files NY Index 651885/2024 (original complaint NYSCEF Doc 49, 17 May 2024). Delaware SOS name change to Crew Enterprises on or about 11 Mar 2024. Nelson files arbitration (JAMS 5200001507 / 5200001580). Distributions stop across the portfolio around May 2024 (4th & J and Oakbrook the same month, per a 16 Apr 2025 post) — the same weeks as the yield-enhancement and rebrand PRs.
- 13 Aug 2024KHCA files a verified first amended complaint (NYSCEF Doc 119). Alleges $56,157,281 of syndication proceeds diverted from Hayworth, Vintage, Walk, and One on 4th. Allegations.
- Dec 2024NY TRO. Unsealed KHCA complaint becomes the thread’s source document.
- Mar–2 May 2025Arbitration award: Brian gets managerial control of Versity Investments (65%). Cornerstone webinar: he calls 4th & J a home run he just walked. Vintage stays with Crew.
- Jul 2025 webinars
- 22–28 Jul 2025Nelson’s Orange County complaint 30-2025-01499716 (28 Jul) asks the court to enforce a 22 Jul JAMS partial final award on Axos / Chase account control. His pleading recites Phase I (Crew breached the Dec 2023 settlement) and Phase II (Nelson 100% NBPRE, 65% Versity Investments). Allegations in that complaint. The later DST complaint says Crew ceased asset-management services on or about 15 May 2025.
- Oct 2025 · forum4th & J Versity webinar is a no-show.
- 26 Nov 2025JAMS Final Award (Refs. 5200001507 / 5200001580; Kennedy). Confirmed 22 Apr 2026 in 30-2025-01534910. $15 million damages for impairment of Nelson’s share (less $450,000 credit = $14,550,000) plus $166,834 JAMS fees, jointly and severally against Crew, Wettengel, and Muro. Status quo ante as of 3 Dec 2023: Nelson 65% of Versity Investments with financial-control rights, Wettengel/Muro 35%; Nelson 100% of NBPRE; Book & Ladder 34/33/33. Unpaid $30 million purchase price and bridge-loan assumption not awarded. Molly Barr claims outside the arbitrator’s jurisdiction.
- 24 Dec 2025Versity Investments / Nelson / NBPRE v. Crew et al., OC 30-2025-01535878-CU-CO-CXC (Melzer, CX102). Sixteen causes; jury demand. Counsel Miller Miller Gerber. Versity I alleges pre- and post-December 2023 officer breaches (no release in the 2023 settlement); Nelson and NBPRE allege post-December 2023 harm only. Alleges ~$1.2 million Factory Class B investor funds withheld after an arbitrator order. Allegations.
- 28–29 Jan 2026Vintage investors get a Crew email. 29 Jan: OC 30-2026-01543537-CU-CO-CXC — seventeen DSTs (NBPRE four plus 13 Versity Investments, including Wolf Run Vintage, not Vintage Horizon West) sue Crew, Book & Ladder, Wettengel, Muro, Academy West, TripSnap, and Wettengel Productions. Fourteen causes; jury demand. Counsel Miller Miller Gerber. Allegations.
- Mar–10 Apr 2026Forum posts describe McQuade engagement letters as BD-funded; the letters themselves were not reviewed. NY order 10 Apr 2026 (Justice Bannon, 2026 NY Slip Op 31536(U)): contract and alter-ego live; fraud/conversion dismissed as duplicative. Real Deal (11 Mar): Midland/Wells foreclosure on The Buckingham.
- 22 Apr 2026Orange County judgment in 30-2025-01534910 (Hesseltine, C23) confirms the 26 Nov 2025 JAMS Final Award. $14,550,000 plus $166,834 JAMS fees against Crew, Wettengel, and Muro jointly and severally. Cross-petition to vacate denied. Molly Barr claims remain outside that award.
- May–Jun 2026Russell Geyser / Waterfall Holdings. Nine properties → springing LLC → private REIT. Not in the nine: Shadowglen, The Nine, and 4th & J.
- 10 Jul 2026DST plaintiffs oppose Crew’s motion to compel mediation on Versity Investments OA §13.4 (ROA 47). Caption lists related case 30-2025-01535878. PPM excerpts (CP Cincy, 345 Flats, Tailor Lofts) and a recitation of the 26 Nov 2025 JAMS Final Award.
- 23 Jul 2026Melzer (CX102) denies Crew’s motion to compel mediation in 30-2025-01535878 (ROA 51). No appearance; tentative accepted. OA ¶13.4 may initiate mediation; if either will not participate, the aggrieved party may file in Orange County. Related case 30-2026-01543537 on the minutes.
- 14–16 Aug 2026 · forumRussell email: Shadowglen default and capital call. 2025 tax info still missing. Thread ends 16 Aug.