Defendants associated with Growth Cave, including its co-CEOs, have been permanently barred from marketing and selling business opportunities and credit repair programs following a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC alleged that the defendants’ actions led to nearly $50 million in consumer losses. As part of the agreement, the co-CEOs must liquidate assets such as a multimillion-dollar home to provide restitution to affected consumers.
“On day one, the Trump-Vance FTC reprioritized combatting fraud that harms American markets. Today’s successful resolution demonstrates that the Commission is focused on protecting our markets from dishonest actors,” said Christopher Mufarrige, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
The FTC initiated legal action against Growth Cave in February 2025, claiming that consumers were misled by promises of substantial income through various business opportunities. According to the complaint, these opportunities often failed to deliver results despite significant costs to consumers. The complaint also noted difficulties for consumers trying to contact Growth Cave employees or access customer support. Defendants named in the lawsuit included Growth Cave’s co-CEOs Lucas Lee-Tyson and Osmany Batte, Operations Manager Jordan Marksberry, related entities, and relief defendant Friendly Solar.
Previously, a stipulated order was entered against Marksberry in August 2025. This order prohibits him from engaging in business opportunity marketing or credit repair activities and from making misleading earnings claims or helping others do so. It also includes a judgment of $48,597,538 against Marksberry; this amount was partially suspended after he paid $35,000 to the Commission.
The court orders announced resolve charges against all remaining defendants. One order applies to Lee-Tyson individually and as an officer or owner of Growth Cave LLC and LLT Research LLC. Another binds Apex Mind LLC; Osmany Batte individually and as an officer of Growth Cave LLC and Apex Mind LLC; as well as relief defendant Friendly Solar Inc.
Both orders ban these parties from selling or assisting others in selling business opportunities or engaging in credit repair activities. They further prohibit false statements regarding earnings claims, testimonials, or use of artificial intelligence.
Each order imposes judgments totaling $48,597,538 on the defendants; however, these are partially suspended due to inability to pay. Lee-Tyson is required to sell assets—including his house—and liquidate investment and bank accounts for consumer redress payments. Batte must liquidate vehicles such as a Rolls-Royce and Ferrari. Friendly Solar is required to transfer $43,000 for its role in profiting from illegal conduct.
The Commission approved both settlements: a 3-0 vote for Marksberry’s August order and a 2-0 vote for today’s orders against other defendants. The proposed orders were filed with the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
FTC staff attorneys Maris Snell and Adrienne Jenkins (East Central Region) along with Miles Freeman (Western Region Los Angeles) handled this matter.
The Federal Trade Commission promotes competition while working to protect and educate consumers about frauds and scams through resources at consumer.ftc.gov and ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
