SEC Trading Suspensions Under the Securities Exchange Act

When the SEC issues a trading suspension pursuant to Section 12(k), trading in the security is halted for the period set forth in the order which is typically the full 10 days.

SEC Charges Jason C. Nielsen in Manipulative Trading Scheme Involving Covid-19 Claims

The SEC charged Jason C. Nielsen, a penny stock trader in Santa Cruz, California, with conducting a fraudulent pump-and-dump scheme in the stock of a biotechnology company by making hundreds of misleading statements in an online investment forum, including a false assertion that the company had developed an “approved” COVID-19 blood test.

SEC Enters Final Judgment Against Brandon Copeland, E.B. & Copeland Capital, Inc.

United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio entered final consent judgments against recidivist investment adviser Brandon E. Copeland and his advisory firm, E.B. & Copeland Capital, Inc.

SEC Obtains Preliminary Injunction Against Paul Horton Smith, Sr., Northstar Communications, LLC, Planning Services, Inc. and eGate

The United States District Court for the Central District of California entered a preliminary injunction and orders freezing assets and imposing other relief against California-registered investment adviser Paul Horton Smith, Sr. and his entities in connection with a Ponzi scheme targeting senior citizens.

SEC Obtains Judgements Against Stiefel Laboratories and Charles Stiefel

The SEC announced that it has obtained final judgments that will require a former privately held dermatology products manufacturer, Stiefel Laboratories, and its former chairman and CEO, Charles Stiefel to pay $37 million for the benefit of shareholders whom they defrauded through share buybacks that were improperly undervalued.

Is My Toxic Lender and Dilution Funder a Dealer? – SEC Toxic Financing Actions

Dilution Funders have been charged by the SEC as unregistered dealers in violation of the Securities Exchange Act. Justin Keener and his company, JMJ Financial and John Fierro and his company, JDF Capital, Inc. are…

SEC Freezes Assets Against Daniel Putnam, Jean Paul Rico, and Angel Rodriguez

On June 5, 2020, the SEC announced an asset freeze against Daniel F. Putnam, of Utah, Jean Paul Ramirez Rico, of Colombia, and Angel A. Rodriguez, of Utah, who allegedly defrauded investors in two cryptocurrency-related schemes.

Regulation CF Crowdfunding and SEC Reporting After the Offering

After an issuer completes a Regulation CF crowdfunding offering, it must comply with certain ongoing reporting obligations. Unlike public company SEC reporting requirements, Regulation CF’s ongoing reporting requirements consist of only one filing annually. 

Rule 504 Offerings – Regulation D Attorneys

Securities offerings under Rule 504 of Regulation D of the Securities Act may prove useful to founders of startup and small companies. 

SEC Provides Form S-3 Coronavirus Relief – Securities Lawyer 101

The SEC has provided relief to Form S-3 issuers because of coronavirus. Form S-3 is a short-form registration statement that consists primarily of information about the specific transaction.

Public Company SEC Reporting Requirements -SEC Requirements to Go Public

Public Company SEC Reporting Requirements – SEC Requirements to Go Public, Going Public Attorneys. Companies filing registration statements with the SEC become subject to the SEC reporting requirements three ways.

What is a SEC Trading Suspension? Securities Lawyer 101

SEC trading suspensions often leave investors in the dark. While SEC trading suspensions may be intended to prevent investor losses, the opposite is true.

Expedited Regulation Crowdfunding Offering Rules For Coronavirus Impacted Issuers

The SEC’s Regulation Crowdfunding temporary rules are intended to expedite the crowdfunding offering process for smaller, previously established companies directly or indirectly affected by COVID-19.

Section 4(a)(7) Resale Exemption – FAST ACT

Section 4(a)(7) provides an exemption for  private resales from the SEC’s (“SEC”) registration statement requirements if certain conditions are met.  One of the benefits of Section (a)(7) is that unlike the Section 4(a)(1½) exemption, state blue sky laws are preempted.

The Section 4(a)(2) Exemption – Exempt Offerings

Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) provides an exemption from the SEC’s registration statement requirements for transactions by an issuer and do not involve a public offering of securities. Section 4(a)(2) is the most widely used exemption for securities offerings in the U.S. Shares sold in reliance upon Section 4(a)(2) are restricted securities and may not be resold absent SEC registration or an exemption therefrom.

Rule 12b-25 Q & A – SEC Reporting Requirements

Form 12b-25 and Rule 12b-25 provide relief for issuers unable to meet SEC reporting requirements on time. Rule 12b-25 grants..

What Is SEC Form 5 – SEC Reporting Requirements- Securities Lawyer 101

Section 16 insiders must file an Annual Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership on Form 5 if there are any transactions in the company’s equity securities that were not previously reported on a Form 4, other than transactions that are exempt from Form 5’s SEC reporting requirements. Form 5 is a mandatory SEC Form that should not be …

Form S-1 Selling Shareholders Disclosures – Going Public Lawyers

Securities Lawyer 101 Blog Companies going public have a variety of structures for their transactions. Companies can sell shares in reliance upon Rule 506 of Regulation D and file a selling shareholder registration statement with the Securities and Exchange… Read More

What Is a Seed Stockholder? Going Public Lawyers

One requirement of a going public transaction is that the issuer obtain sufficient stockholders to establish a trading market. These initial investors are commonly referred to as “Seed Stockholders” or “Seed Shareholders”. Seed Shareholders play an important role in the capital raising and going public process.

Why Form 10 Shells Are High Risk – Form 10 Reverse Mergers

Many issuers seeking to raise capital often attempt to go public using a reverse merger with a Form 10 public shell company. Shell companies that file a Form 10 have pitfalls for unsuspecting private companies.

CAN-SPAM Issuers and Investor Relations – Securities Lawyer 101

If you use email in your business, you should be aware of the requirements of the CAN-SPAM Act (“CAN-SPAM”). Investor relations providers often attempt to remain anonymous.

What SEC Reporting Requirements Apply to a Direct Public Offering?

  Exchange Act Reporting After SEC Effectiveness of a Registered Direct Public Offering Upon completion of a registered direct public offering, the Exchange Act imposes periodic reporting obligations. If the issuer is a domestic issuer subject to SEC reporting… Read More

Rule 506-c Accredited Investor Offerings, Regulation D Securities Lawyers

Rule 506(c) of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, allows a company to use general solicitation and advertising to raise an unlimited amount of money from accredited investors.

Deadlines for SEC Reporting Requirements Extended Due to COVID-19

On March 25, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) issued an order (the “SEC Order”) providing extensions to SEC reporting requirements deadlines for issuers affected by COVID‑19, further extending the deadlines set forth in a March… Read More

What are the Requirements of Regulation CF Crowdfunding?

SECTION 4(A)6 OF THE SECURITIES ACT Section 4(a)(6) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act” is also known as Regulation CF. These rules have made it easier for companies to raise money from a… Read More

Regulation A Reporting Obligations – Crowdfunding with Regulation A

Regulation A, also known as Regulation A+, provides investors with more investment choices and issuers with more capital raising options during their going public transactions. The rules adopting Regulation A+ are mandated by Title IV of the Jumpstart… Read More

Regulation A and Crowdfunding Issuers granted SEC Extensions

The SEC recently granted issuers using Regulation A and Regulation Crowdfunding known as Regulation CF have been granted extensions  to their SEC reporting obligations. Last month, the SEC published new temporary final rules extending the due dates for… Read More

What is Accredited Investor Verification? Going Public Lawyers

Rule 506(c) verification of accredited investor status is only required where the issuer engages in general solicitation and/or advertising.  The SEC provided guidance as to acceptable accredited investor verification methods.  

Crowdfunding During Coronavirus – COVID-19 Securities Lawyer 101

Crowdfunding Offerings in the Time of Coronavirus In the past few months, the COVID-19 outbreak has caused quarantines and closures, and has restricted the movement of people and goods between countries and within the United States. It has… Read More

Short Sale – Q & A – Short Seller Rules – Regulation SHO Lawyers

A short sale transaction can be part of a legitimate trading strategy if done legally. Illegal  Short selling…