Donald H. Allen and his companies H&M Petroleum Corp. and American Energy Resources Corp. raised about $9.9 million from more than 350 investors

Colorado Springs man and his two oil and gas companies have agreed to pay $510,000 to settle civil fraud allegations, the Securities and Exchange Commission said Thursday.The SEC alleged that between March 2002 and December 2006, Donald H. Allen and his companies H&M Petroleum Corp. and American Energy Resources Corp. raised about $9.9 million from more than 350 investors nationwide without disclosing that they had never generated profits for investors.Allen did not immediately respond to a telephone message.Allen was accused of spending $2.3 million of investor funds to pay for items including a custom speedboat, ski vacations, fitness equipment and jewelry.The SEC alleged Allen and his companies touted annual returns of up to 354 percent without disclosing the speculative nature of the projections; incorrectly told investors that AER and H&M invested in their own projects; that securities were improperly sold in unregistered transactions; and that Allen acted as an unregistered broker.Allen and his companies settled the case without admitting or denying the allegations