Emilio Francisco created a marketing firm known as PDC Capital in Costa Mesa, California to assist foreign investors in acquiring EB-5 VISAs. The firm raised over $72 million to purportedly finance restaurants, assisted living facilities, and a production facility. However, Francisco diverted some of those funds to other projects and kept millions for himself.

According to a complaint filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission in December 2016, “Francisco and PDC Capital diverted investor funds from one project to another and outright stole at least $9.6 million that was used to finance Francisco’s own businesses and luxury lifestyle. Francisco was allegedly aware that doing so would violate federal regulations and jeopardize any visas for the foreign investors."