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If it’s too good to be true, it’s not true
By Julie Finley (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Wednesday, July 23, 2008

True snake oil contains 25 percent oil from Chinese water snakes.

If you have aching joints, it may just make them feel better.

And if you need some, just call up our old friend John Rivera. He may just have some handy.

Rivera — the eager salesman — brought his version of joint medication to town in 2006. He set up a generator operated by a soybean bi-product and reportedly powered Vidalia City Hall, an all-terrain vehicle, a motorcycle, and a 1-million mile diesel engine.

In December of that year, Rivera’s company U.S. Sustainable Energy Corp., bought a warehouse at the Adams County Port, and company officials said the Natchez-based plant was supposed to house 200 fuel reactors.

But a few months ago — and apparently 200 fuel reactors early — Rivera left town, and began work in Baytown, Texas.

Last week, the skeptics among us got our first official backing.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — a mighty official group — filed a formal complaint alleging fraud on the part of Rivera.

The document essentially says Rivera lied to everyone.

He talked of a biofuel process he couldn’t complete, the SEC says. He lied about the cost of the unproven process, they say. And, the document says, the company’s stock prices were artificially inflated.

Though this newspaper couldn’t reach Rivera for comment, a Texas newspaper shared comments in which Rivera said the SEC complaint was a “witch hunt.”

Maybe a better name would be snake hunt.

Rivera hasn’t been proven guilty of anything yet, though he faces not only the SEC complaint but a fraud lawsuit that was filed by an investor against him in 2007.

But it seems the forces of good apparently are starting to follow the trail of the soft sound coming from that rattle on his tail.

Many in the Miss-Lou have had their doubts about Rivera since day one.

I remember the day he set up shop in front of Vidalia City Hall. The crowd clapped, but even our young photographer came back to the office saying the show was entirely too good to be true.

Even still, others in the area invested in Rivera’s penny stocks. Phone calls came into our office from around the country as potential investors and financial reporters began to wonder.

The show continued when Rivera dressed up as Santa Claus and delivered Christmas presents to children at the Natchez Children’s Home and the Sunshine Center.

Earlier that year, Rivera Claus had donated $3,500 to the sheriff’s office to be used for protective vests.

If John Rivera has a cheap, nearly magical way to turn soybean trash into fuel, I hope he succeeds, makes millions and saves the world.

But, if Santa’s beard moves when you pull on it, well, then Santa’s a fraud.

Rivera has said he will fight the allegations and won’t settle the lawsuit. But if even one of the SEC allegations are true, then Rivera owes it to his stockholders to fess up now and do what he can to make the situation right.

Oil from Chinese water snakes is composed of acid, after all.

It can burn.

Julie Finley is the managing editor of The Natchez Democrat. She can be reached at 601-445-3551 or [e-mail].

http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/news/2008/jul/23/if-its-too-good-be-true-its-not-true/