UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

SCHEDULE 13D

 

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No 1)

 

 

Comstock Mining Inc.


Name of Issuer

 

Common Stock


(Title of Class of Securities)

 

205750102


CUSIP Number

 

 

John V. Winfield

The InterGroup Corporation

10940 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2150

Los Angeles, California 90024

(310) 889-2500


Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person

Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications

 

March 4, 2016


Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement

 

 

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e), 13d-1(f) or 13d-1(g), check the following box. o

 

 

 

CUSIP No. 205750102

Page 2

 

1.  

Name of Reporting Person

 

John V. Winfield

  Tax Identification Number
2.  

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group

(a)    ¨

(b)    x

   
3.  

SEC Use Only

 

   
4.  

Source of Funds

 

PF

   

5.

 

  Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)     ¨    
6.  

Citizenship or Place of Organization

 

U.S.

   

Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned by
Each
Reporting
Person With
  7.  

Sole Voting Power

 

20,380,863 (Item 5)

  8.  

Shared Voting Power

 

46,960,467 (Item 5)

  9.  

Sole Dispositive Power

 

20,380,863 (Item 5)

  10.  

Shared Dispositive Power

 

46,960,467

11.  

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

46,960,467 Shares of Common Stock (See Item 5)

   
12.  

Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row 11 Excludes Certain Shares

 ¨

 

   
13.  

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row 11

 

29.0% (See Item 5)

   
14.  

Type of Reporting Person

 

IN

   

 

 

CUSIP No. 205750102

Page 3

 

1.  

Name of Reporting Person

 

The InterGroup Corporation

  Tax Identification Number

13-3293645

2.  

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group

(a)    ¨

(b)    x

   
3.  

SEC Use Only

 

   
4.  

Source of Funds

 

WC

   

5.

 

  Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)     ¨    
6.  

Citizenship or Place of Organization

 

Delaware

   

Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned by
Each
Reporting
Person With
  7.  

Sole Voting Power

 

0

  8.  

Shared Voting Power

 

26,579,604 (Item 5)

  9.  

Sole Dispositive Power

 

0

  10.  

Shared Dispositive Power

 

26,579,604 (Item 5)

11.  

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

26,579,604 Shares of Common Stock (See Item 5)

   
12.  

Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row 11 Excludes Certain Shares

 ¨

 

   
13.  

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row 11

 

16.4% (See Item 5)

   
14.  

Type of Reporting Person

 

CO

   

 

 

CUSIP No. 205750102

Page 4

 

1.  

Name of Reporting Person

 

Santa Fe Financial Corporation

  Tax Identification Number

95-2452519

2.  

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group

(a)    ¨

(b)    x

   
3.  

SEC Use Only

 

   
4.  

Source of Funds

 

WC

   

5.

 

  Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)     ¨    
6.  

Citizenship or Place of Organization

 

Nevada

   

Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned by
Each
Reporting
Person With
  7.  

Sole Voting Power

 

0

  8.  

Shared Voting Power

 

13,421,138 (Item 5)

  9.  

Sole Dispositive Power

 

0

  10.  

Shared Dispositive Power

 

13,421,138 (Item 5)

11.  

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

13,421,138 Shares of Common Stock (See Item 5)

   
12.  

Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row 11 Excludes Certain Shares

 ¨

 

   
13.  

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row 11

 

8.3% (See Item 5)

   
14.  

Type of Reporting Person

 

CO

   

 

 

CUSIP No. 205750102

Page 5

 

 

1.  

Name of Reporting Person

 

Portsmouth Square, Inc.

  Tax Identification Number

94-1674111

2.  

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group

(a)    ¨

(b)    x

   
3.  

SEC Use Only

 

   
4.  

Source of Funds

 

WC

   

5.

 

  Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)     ¨    
6.  

Citizenship or Place of Organization

 

California

   

Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned by
Each
Reporting
Person With
  7.  

Sole Voting Power

 

0

  8.  

Shared Voting Power

 

8,887,896 (Item 5)

  9.  

Sole Dispositive Power

 

0

  10.  

Shared Dispositive Power

 

8,887,896 (Item 5)

11.  

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

8,887,896 Shares of Common Stock (See Item 5)

   
12.  

Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row 11 Excludes Certain Shares

 ¨

 

   
13.  

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row 11

 

5.5% (See Item 5)

   
14.  

Type of Reporting Person

 

CO

   

 

 

CUSIP No. 205750102

Page 6

 

1.  

Name of Reporting Person

 

Northern Comstock LLC

  Tax Identification Number

27-3754012

2.  

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group

(a)    ¨

(b)    x

   
3.  

SEC Use Only

 

   
4.  

Source of Funds

 

WC

   

5.

 

  Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)     ¨    
6.  

Citizenship or Place of Organization

 

Nevada

   

Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned by
Each
Reporting
Person With
  7.  

Sole Voting Power

 

0

  8.  

Shared Voting Power

 

6,442,941 (Item 5)

  9.  

Sole Dispositive Power

 

0

  10.  

Shared Dispositive Power

 

6,442,941 (Item 5)

11.  

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

6,442,941 Shares of Common Stock (See Item 5)

   
12.  

Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row 11 Excludes Certain Shares

 ¨

 

   
13.  

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row 11

 

4.0% (See Item 5)

   
14.  

Type of Reporting Person

 

CO

   

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1. Security and Issuer

 

The class of equity securities to which this Schedule 13D relates is the Common Stock ("the Common Stock") of Comstock Mining Inc., a Nevada corporation ("Comstock" or the "Issuer"). The address of the principal executive offices of the Issuer is 1200 American Flat Road, Virginia City, Nevada 89440.

 

 

Item 2. Identity and Background

 

John V. Winfield's business address is 10940 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2150, Los Angeles, CA 90024. Mr. Winfield principal occupation is President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of The InterGroup Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries Santa Fe Financial Corporation and Portsmouth Square, Inc. Mr. Winfield has not been subject to any proceedings requiring disclosure under sections (d) and (e) of this Item. Mr. Winfield is a citizen of the United States.

 

The InterGroup Corporation ("InterGroup") is a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business at 10940 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2150, Los Angeles, CA 90024. InterGroup is a public company (NASDAQ: INTG). The principal business of InterGroup is to own and operate multi-family residential property and other real estate. Attached hereto as Appendix A is a schedule setting forth the executive officers and directors of InterGroup. InterGroup and/or any of its named executive officers and directors have not been subject to any of the proceedings requiring disclosure under sections (d) or (e) of this Item.

 

The Santa Fe Financial Corporation ("Santa Fe") is a Nevada corporation with its principal place of business at 10940 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2150, Los Angeles, CA 90024. Santa Fe is a public company (OTCBB: SFEF) and a 81.7%-owned subsidiary of InterGroup. The principal business of Santa Fe is to own and operate real estate. Attached hereto as Appendix B is a schedule setting forth the executive officers and directors of Santa Fe. Santa Fe and/or any of its named executive officers and directors have not been subject to any of the proceedings requiring disclosure under sections (d) or (e) of this Item.

 

The Portsmouth Square, Inc. ("Portsmouth") is a California corporation with its principal place of business at 10940 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2150, Los Angeles, CA 90024. Portsmouth is a public company (OTCBB: PRSI) and a 68.8%-owned subsidiary of Santa Fe. InterGroup owns an additional 13.1% of Portsmouth. The principal business of Portsmouth is to own and operate real estate, primarily a San Francisco hotel, through a limited partnership. Attached hereto as Appendix C is a schedule setting forth the executive officers and directors of Portsmouth. Portsmouth and/or any of its named executive officers and directors have not been subject to any of the proceedings requiring disclosure under sections (d) or (e) of this Item.

 

Northern Comstock LLC (“NC”) is a Nevada limited liability company, with its principal place of business at 1200 American Flat Road, Virginia City, Nevada 89440. Comstock, DWC Resources, Inc. and Mr. Winfield are the members of NC. The principal business of NC is mining. Mr. Winfield is the sole manager of NC. Mr. Winfield has not been subject to any proceedings requiring disclosure under sections (d) and (e) of this Item. Mr. Winfield is a citizen of the United States.

 

  7.
 

 

 

Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.

 

Mr. Winfield used personal funds to purchase the shares of Common Stock reported herein. InterGroup, Santa Fe and Portsmouth used working capital as its source of funds to purchase the shares of Common Stock. NC received its shares as capital contributions under its operating agreement. See Item 4 below regarding the exchange of notes, convertible notes and debt instruments for preferred stock.

 

Item 4. Purposes of Transactions.

 

On October 20, 2010, Mr. Winfield, InterGroup, Santa Fe and Portsmouth exchanged an aggregate of approximately $20,912,000 in notes, convertible notes and debt instruments that they held in Comstock for a total of 20,912 shares of newly created 7 1/2% Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock (the "A-1 Preferred") of the Issuer. Of that amount, 7,681 shares of A-1 Preferred were issued to Mr. Winfield, 6,572 shares were issued to InterGroup, 2,249, shares were issued to Santa Fe and 4,410 shares were issued to Portsmouth. From October 20, 2010 to October 20, 2013, NC received a total of 3,450 shares of A-1 Preferred. Mr. Winfield had the sole voting power over the shares of A-1 Preferred owned by NC and the Common Stock represented thereby.

Together, Mr. Winfield, InterGroup, Santa Fe, Portsmouth and NC constituted all of the holders of the A-1 Preferred.

 

Each share of A-1 Preferred had a stated value of $1,000 per share, a liquidation and change of control preference, semi-annual dividends at a rate of 7.5% per annum, payable in cash, common stock preferred stock or any combination of the foregoing, at the election of Comstock, and was convertible into 1,536 shares of common stock of Comstock.

 

On August 26, 2015, Comstock received written authorization from a majority of the holders of the Company’s outstanding A-1 Preferred, Series A-2 Convertible Preferred Stock and Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (collectively, the “Preferred Stock”) to amend the certificates of designation of rights, preferences and limitations of the Preferred Stock (the “Charters”), and for the conversion of all such convertible preferred stock to Common Stock.

 

The amendments to the Charters resulted in the automatic conversion of the Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock at the conversion price of each series of Preferred Stock. As a result of the conversion, Comstock issued approximately 53.6 million shares of Common Stock. Further, as a result of the approval of the amendments to the Charters, Comstock declared and paid each Preferred Stock holder a one-time dividend of 127 shares of Common Stock per share of Preferred Stock. Approximately 6,172,020 shares of Common Stock were issued for this one-time dividend.

 

Mr. Winfield, InterGroup, Santa Fe, Portsmouth and NC have acquired the securities of Issuer for investment purposes. Although none of such reporting persons have any present intention to do so, any may make additional purchases of the securities of Issuer either in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions depending on an evaluation of the Issuer's business prospects and financial condition, the market for securities, other available investment opportunities, money and other stock market conditions and other future developments. Depending on these factors, the reporting persons may decide at any time to sell all or part of their holdings of the Issuer's securities in one or more public or private transactions.

 

  8.
 

 

Other than discussed above, none of the reporting persons have any present plan or proposal that relate to or would result in any of the events set forth in clauses (a) through (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D.

 

Item 5. Interest in the Securities of the Issuer

 

(a) As of March 4, 2016. Mr. Winfield directly owns 13,937,922 shares of Common Stock. In addition, Mr. Winfield has the sole voting power over 6,442,941 shares of Common Stock owned by NC. Those securities represent a total of 20,380,863 voting shares and constitute approximately 12.6% of the voting power of the Common Stock of the Issuer.

 

As of March 4, 2016, InterGroup owns 13,158,466 shares of Common Stock. Those securities constitute approximately 8.1% of the voting power of the Common Stock of the Issuer.

 

As of March 4, 2016, Santa Fe owns 4,533,242 shares of Common Stock. Those securities constitute approximately 2.8% of the voting power of the Common Stock of the Issuer.

 

As of March 4, 2016, Portsmouth owns 8,887,896 shares of Common Stock. Those securities constitute approximately 5.5% of the voting power of the Common Stock of the Issuer.

 

(b) Mr. Winfield has the sole voting and disposition power over the shares of Common Stock directly owned by him. As Chairman, President and CEO of InterGroup, Santa Fe and Portsmouth, and sole manager of NC, Mr. Winfield can be deemed to have shared power with those entities to direct the voting and disposition of the shares of Common Stock owned by such entities. Thus, Mr. Winfield may be deemed to beneficially own 46,960,467 shares of Common Stock for purposes of Section 13D of the Exchange Act, or approximately 29.0% of the voting power of the Common Stock of the Issuer.

 

The above percentages were determined based on the Issuer's disclosures in its Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on January 28, 2016, which indicated that it had 162,121,355 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

 

(c) In addition to the transactions discussed above, the following transactions in the Common Stock were effected during the past 60 days by the reporting persons.

 

Identity Date Amount of Shares Price per Share Nature of Transaction
John V. Winfield 2/8/2016 40,000 $0.53 Sale
John V. Winfield 2/9/2016 5,000 $0.53 Sale
John V. Winfield 3/3/2016 100,000 $0.60 Donation

 

  9.
 

 

(d) No person other than Mr. Winfield, with respect to his shares, or InterGroup, Santa Fe, Portsmouth and NC, with respect to their shares, has the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, and the proceeds from the sale of, the shares beneficially owned by each of them.

 

(e) Not Applicable.

 

Item 6. Contracts, Agreements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer

 

On July 29, 2015, the Issuer entered into a Stockholders’ Agreement (the “Stockholders’ Agreement”), with Mr. Winfield and entities affiliated with Mr. Winfield, pursuant to which the Issuer is generally prohibited from incurring indebtedness in excess of $5,000,000, subject to certain limited exceptions. The Stockholders’ Agreement was previously filed with the SEC on July 29, 2015 as exhibit 10.2 to the Issuer's Current Report on Form 8-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

On September 28, 2015, the Issuer signed an amendment related to the restructuring of its operating agreement with NC. The amendments resulted in reduced capital contribution obligations of the Issuer from $31.05 million down to $9.75 million. The operating agreement of NC requires that the Issuer make monthly cash capital contributions of $30,000 to NC and annual capital contributions in the amount of $482,500 payable in stock or cash, at the Issuer's option, unless the Issuer has cash and cash equivalents in excess of $10,500,000 on the date of such payments, wherein the Issuer would then be required to pay in cash. The number of shares to be delivered is calculated by dividing the amount of the capital contribution by the volume-weighted average closing price of the Issuer’s common stock on its primary trading market for the previous 20 consecutive trading days prior to such capital contribution. The operating agreement requires that these capital contributions commence in October 2015, and end in September 2027, unless prepaid by the Issuer. The second amendment to the operating agreement of NC was previously filed with the SEC on October 23, 2015 as exhibit 10.1 to the Issuer's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits

 

Not applicable.

 

  10.
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 

Date: March 4, 2016     /s/ John V. Winfield  
        John V. Winfield  
           

 

        THE INTERGROUP CORPORATION  
           
        by /s/ John V. Winfield  
Date: March 4, 2016    

John V. Winfield, Chairman,

 
        President and CEO  
           

 

        SANTA FE FINANCIAL CORPORATION  
           
        by /s/ John V. Winfield  
Date: March 4, 2016    

John V. Winfield, Chairman,

 
        President and CEO  
           

 

        PORTSMOUTH SQUARE, INC.  
           
        by /s/ John V. Winfield  
Date: March 4, 2016    

John V. Winfield, Chairman,

 
        President and CEO  
           

 

        NORTHERN COMSTOCK LLC  
           
        by /s/ John V. Winfield  
Date: March 4, 2016     John V. Winfield, Manager  
           
           

 

  11.
 

 

 

APPENDIX A

 

THE INTERGROUP CORPORATION

Executive Officers and Directors*

 

John V. Winfield -

Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, The InterGroup Corporation, Santa Fe Financial Corporation and Portsmouth Square, Inc.
Citizenship: United States

     
Jerold R. Babin -

Director. Principal Occupation: Retail Securities Broker, Retired First Vice President Wells Fargo Advisors.

     
Yvonne L. Murphy -

Director. Principal Occupation: Lobbyist
Citizenship: United States

     
William J. Nance -

Director. Principal Occupation: Certified Public Accountant ("CPA") and Consultant.
Citizenship: United States

     
John C. Love
Independent
-

Director. Principal Occupation: Retired CPA, consultant to the hospitality and tourism industries; real estate broker.

Citizenship: United States

     
David C. Gonzalez -

Vice President Real Estate, The InterGroup Corporation.
Citizenship: United States

     
David T. Nguyen -

Treasurer and Controller, Certified Public Accountant.

Citizenship: United States.

   
Clyde W. Tinnen -

Secretary. Principal Occupation: Attorney

Citizenship: United States

     

 

* Business Address: The business address for all executive officers and directors is c/o The InterGroup Corporation, 10940 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2150, Los Angeles, CA 90024.

 

 

  12.
 

APPENDIX B

 

SANTA FE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

Executive Officers and Directors*

 

 

John V. Winfield -

Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, The InterGroup Corporation, Santa Fe Financial Corporation and Portsmouth Square, Inc. Citizenship: United States

     

William J. Nance

-

Director. Principal Occupation: Certified Public Accountant ("CPA") and Consultant.

Citizenship: United States

     
John C. Love
Independent
-

Director. Principal Occupation: Retired CPA, consultant to the hospitality and tourism industries; real estate broker.

Citizenship: United States

     
David T. Nguyen -

Treasurer and Controller, Certified Public Accountant.

Citizenship: United States.

     
Clyde W. Tinnen -

Secretary. Principal Occupation: Attorney

Citizenship: United States

     

 

* Business Address: The business address for all executive officers and directors is c/o Santa Fe Financial Corporation, 10940 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2150, Los Angeles, CA 90024.

 

 

  13.
 

 

APPENDIX C

 

PORTSMOUTH SQUARE, INC.

Executive Officers and Directors*

 

 

John V. Winfield -

Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, The InterGroup Corporation, Santa Fe Financial Corporation and Portsmouth Square, Inc. Citizenship: United States

     
William J. Nance -

Director. Principal Occupation: Certified Public Accountant ("CPA") and Consultant.

Citizenship: United States

     
Jerold R. Babin -

Director. Principal Occupation: Retail Securities Broker, Retired First Vice President Wells Fargo Advisors.

Citizenship: United States

     
John C. Love
Independent
-

Director. Principal Occupation: Retired CPA, consultant to the hospitality and tourism industries; real estate broker.

Citizenship: United States

     
David T. Nguyen -

Treasurer and Controller, Certified Public Accountant.

Citizenship: United States.

     
Geoffrey Palermo -

Assistant Secretary. Principal Occupation: Hospitality Management

Citizenship: United States

     
Clyde W. Tinnen -

Secretary. Principal Occupation: Attorney

Citizenship: United States

     

 

* Business Address: The business address for all executive officers and directors is c/o Portsmouth Square, Inc., 10940 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2150, Los Angeles, CA 90024.

 

 

  14.