SEC Obtains Final Judgments Against Mathias Francisco Sandoval and Maria Cidre, Former General Cable Corp, CEO and Former CFO of General Cable Corp.

On February 20, 2019, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida entered final judgments on consent against Mathias Francisco Sandoval Herrera and Maria D. Cidre, the former Chief Executive Officer and former Chief Financial Officer,… Read More

Restricted Legends, Removal Requirements, Rule 144 for Shells – Tradability Legal Opinions

The Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) does not require that issuers place restricted legend (“Restricted Legends” or “Restrictive Legend“) on certificates representing restricted securities.   It has become routine for public companies and private companies seeking… Read More

Rule 163B and Testing the Waters

On February 19, 2019, the SEC posted a new proposed rule intended to make it possible for all issuers to “test the waters” when contemplating a public offering of securities. Until now, only issuers considered emerging growth companies… Read More

SEC Files Charges against Joshua Sason in Elaborate Microcap Stock Fraud

On February 15, 2019  the SEC announced charges against four individuals and related businesses for their roles in two microcap frauds and unlawful securities offerings. In sum, the alleged illegal transactions resulted in proceeds of more than $25… Read More

SEC Charges Cognizant and Two Former Executives With FCPA Violations

On February 15, 2019, Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation has agreed to pay $25 million to settle charges that it violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and two of the company’s former executives were charged for their roles in… Read More

Can Finders Raise Money Q & A – Going Public Lawyers

Posted By Brenda Hamilton, Securities Lawyer It is not unusual for a private or public company to be approached by a person (“Finder”) who offers to locate investors in exchange for a success fee. Most finders are not registered as… Read More

SEC Charges Former Executives of Lucent Polymers, a Plastics Manufacturer with Fraud

On February 12, 2019, the SEC charged two former high-ranking executives,  of an Indiana-based plastics manufacturer with concealing from potential buyers of the manufacturer the fact that the company’s core business model was a sham. According to the… Read More

Court Imposes Lifetime Officer-And-Director Bars On Michael J. Kipp, Swisher’s former CFO, and Joanne K. Viard

A federal district court has permanently barred two former corporate officers of a North Carolina-based hygiene and sanitation company from serving as officers or directors of public companies. The SEC charged the two officers of Swisher Hygiene, Inc., Michael… Read More

SEC Obtains Final Judgment Against Niket Shah in Ponzi Scheme Targeting Retail Investors

The SEC obtained a final judgment on February 8, 2018, against Niket Shah, a New Jersey resident who was charged last year by the agency with stealing more than $250,000 in a Ponzi scheme in which his friends… Read More

The Cato Institute Files Action Challenging SEC Gag Orders

On January 9, the Cato Institute filed suit against the Securities & Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), its chairman Jay Clayton, and its secretary Brent J. Fields.  For decades, questions have been raised, and criticisms offered, of the SEC’s longstanding practice of… Read More

SEC Charges Robert Alexander, Founder of Online Gaming Company for Defrauding Investors

On February 7,2019, the SEC charged Robert Alexander with fraudulently raising approximately $9 million from more than 50 individuals by selling investments in Kizzang LLC, a purported online gaming business. According to the SEC’s complaint, among other misrepresentations,… Read More

Form F-1 Foreign Private Issuers and Going Public

A foreign private issuer going public can register an offering of securities under the Securities Act of 1933 (Securities Act) or may register a class of equity securities under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act), or… Read More

When is a Form S-1 Confidential? Going Public Securities Lawyers

Form S-1 is a common part of the going public process. In some circumstances Form S-1 filings can remain confidential prior to effectiveness.

Scottsdale and John Hurry Push Back to Stop FINRA Investigation

On December 17, 2018, John Hurry broker dealer, Scottsdale Capital Advisers Corporation sued the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), for breach of contract in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.  Scottsdale and its sister company,… Read More

Form F-1 Registration Statement Requirements, Filling, Effectiveness, Going Public

Typically, foreign companies seeking to raise capital attempt to obtain public company status.  Foreign companies that go public in the U.S. can register shares with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the… Read More

What is a SEC Registration Statement? Going Public Lawyer

The Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) is referred to as the “truth in securities” act.  The Securities Act has two stated goals.  These are to require that issuers provide investors with financial and other significant information concerning… Read More

Due Diligence in Accredited Crowdfunding Offerings – Securities Lawyer 101

Even though Accredited Crowdfunding Offerings are exempt under Rule 506(c) and no specific disclosure requirements apply, under most circumstances, the anti-fraud provisions mandate disclosure of certain information to investors

SEC Files Subpoena in Possible Market Manipulation Scheme

The SEC filed a subpoena enforcement action against three penny-stock companies and their CEO – Cherubim Interests, Inc., PDX Partners, Inc., Victura Construction Group, Inc., and Patrick Jevon Johnson – seeking an order directing them to comply with… Read More

SEC Charges Taiwan-Based Insurance, China United with Fraudulent Market Manipulation Scheme

A Taiwan-based insurance company, China United Insurance Service, Inc. and one of its former managers have agreed to settle fraud charges brought by the SEC relating to a scheme to manipulate the company’s trading volume. The complaint alleges that,… Read More

SEC Obtains Judgment Against Former CEO John Place

On November 9, 2018, the SEC obtained a judgment against John Place, a former CEO of a brokerage consulting business who was charged by the SEC in August for his role in a multimillion dollar transition management fraud…. Read More

SEC Obtains Asset Freeze Against Former Thomas Laws CEO Charged with Misappropriating Investor Funds

The SEC announced on December 14, 2018 charges against Thomas Laws, the former CEO of Santa Fe Gold Corporation, for the misappropriation of investor funds. The SEC also obtained an asset freeze against Thomas Laws. The SEC’s complaint, unsealed… Read More

SEC Sues Orange County Investment Adviser, Craig Arsenault for Defrauding Clients

On December 14, 2018 the SEC charged Craig Arsenault, a California investment adviser with misappropriating client funds and misleading his clients about how their money was invested and how their investments were performing. The SEC is seeking an… Read More

SEC Obtains Final Judgment Against Gregory Webb, a Chicago Tech Executive

The SEC has obtained a final judgment against Gregory Webb, the former Chairman and CEO of a company purportedly in the homeland security business. In October 2011, the SEC charged  Gregory E. Webb, the Chairman and CEO of InfrAegis,… Read More

Rule 506 Offerings FAQ By: Brenda Hamilton Attorney

Securities Lawyer 101 Blog Rule 506 Offerings are the most common of the Regulation D exemptions from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).   It has been approximately a year since the Securities… Read More

Form 10 v Form S-1 Registration Statements – Going Public

Form S-1 and Form 10 each provide unique benefits in the going public process. Additionally, Form S-1 and Form 10 require similar disclosures.

Regulation A+ Q&A

Since Regulation A+ was adopted in 2015, it has gained notable market acceptance.  Regulation A+  provides an  offering that can be used in combination with direct public offerings and initial public offerings as part of a Going Public Transaction allowing the issuer to avoid the… Read More

Regulation A+ , Going Public and Secondary Trading

The Securities & Exchange Commission’s amendments to Regulation A known as Regulation A+ went into effect on June 19, 2015.  Regulation A+ has gained market acceptance not only by issuers quoted on the OTC Markets but also by the… Read More

Form S-1 Registration Statement Filings – Securities Lawyers – Going Public

Form S-1 registration statement filings are used by companies seeking to raise capital and go public.  The Form S-1 filing …

SEC Files Subpoena Enforcement in Possible Market Manipulation Scheme

The SEC filed a subpoena enforcement action against NVC Fund LLC and its principal, Frank Ekejija, seeking an order directing them to comply with an investigative subpoena for documents and testimony. According to the SEC’s application, filed on… Read More

The SEC Declared A Cease and Desist Proceedings with CoinAlpha Advisors LLC.

On December 7, 2018, CoinAlpha Advisors LLC  submitted an Offer of Settlement, which the SEC has determined to accept. CoinAlpha Advisors LLC consented to the Cease-and-Desist Proceedings Pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act of 1933, Making… Read More