EB5 Promoter offering to pay part of attorney fees
I am midway into EB5 I-526 filing process. Yet to finalize a project. I am working with a promoter who is walking me through projects and introducing me to RC.
One thing he promised is that if I sign up for a project through him, he will try to get the admin fees waived or reduced, and also pay a part of attorney fees directly to attorney or send it to me in bank transfer later (upto $10k).
While waiving admin fees looks standard and I could get it written in my engagement with the RC, the attorney fees / cash back part is making me suspicious.
My attorney is ok with the arrangement and declares it in the engagement agreement but distances himself from the financial advisory/ project profitability part.
However, I am told by another promoter that such payment could be flagged as a kick back and SEC may ban such promoter and cancel all EB5 applications made with his involvement.
Has anybody encountered this?