Court Approves Summary Judgment Against Stewart Merkin

On January 13, 2016, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed entry of summary judgment in favor of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on its claims of securities fraud against defendant Stewart Merkin (“Merkin”), an attorney in Miami, Florida.

The SEC brought a civil action against Merkin on October 3, 2011, alleging violations of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. The Complaint alleged that on four occasions, Merkin, an experienced attorney, wrote letters falsely stating that his client, StratoComm Corporation (“StratoComm”), was not under investigation for violations of the securities laws. The Complaint further alleged that Merkin knew that his statements were false because, at the time that he wrote each letter, he was representing StratoComm and several individuals in the SEC’s investigation into the company’s activities. The SEC’s Complaint alleged that Merkin authorized his letters to be posted on the website maintained by Pink Sheets LLC (currently OTC Markets Group Inc.) for viewing by the investing public.

On October 3, 2012, the Honorable Donald L. Graham, United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida granted the SEC’s motion for summary judgment with respect to liability, finding that Merkin made false statements of material fact, with scienter, in connection with the purchase or sale of securities. Merkin subsequently consented to the entry of a final judgment that: (i) orders him liable to pay a total of $125,000 in disgorgement, prejudgment interest and a civil penalty; (ii) imposes a permanent injunction against future violations of Section 10(b) and Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act by making false or misleading statements; and (iii) permanently bars Merkin from participating in an offering of penny stock. In consenting to these remedies, Merkin retained his right to appeal from the Court’s ruling on summary judgment with respect to liability. That appeal has now been rejected.

For further information about this securities law blog  post, please contact Brenda Hamilton, Securities Attorney at 101 Plaza Real S, Suite 202 N, Boca Raton, Florida, (561) 416-8956, by email at [email protected] or visit  www.securitieslawyer101.com.   This securities law blog post is provided as a general informational service to clients and friends of Hamilton & Associates Law Group and should not be construed as, and does not constitute legal advice on any specific matter, nor does this message create an attorney-client relationship.  Please note that the prior results discussed herein do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Hamilton & Associates | Securities Lawyers
Brenda Hamilton, Securities Attorney
101 Plaza Real South, Suite 202 North
Boca Raton, Florida 33432
Telephone: (561) 416-8956
Facsimile: (561) 416-2855