DTC Conspiracy Theories Continue In 2015

Securities Lawyer 101 Blog We continue to receive inquiries from management and shareholders of public companies about the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”).  Many of these people assert that there is a larger DTC conspiracy in the works.  Frequently,… Read More

What Does a Going Public Lawyer Do Anyway?

The role of the Going Public Lawyer is one of the most important in the going public process. The Going Public Lawyers at Hamilton & Associates Law Group have provided private companies with their going public solutions for… Read More

Can Form S-1 Be Used To Go Public ? l Going Public Lawyers

Going Public Bootcamp – Securities Lawyer 101 Blog Form S-1 is the basic registration statement form used to register securities. Form S-1 can be used to register securities for which no other form is authorized or prescribed, except securities… Read More

Can I Go Public With an Exchange Act Registration Statement?

Securities Lawyer 101 Blog All public companies whose securities are registered on a national securities exchange, and generally issuers  whose assets exceed $10,000,000 with a class of equity securities held by 500 or more persons, must register a… Read More

What is Stock Scalping ? Securities Lawyer 101

Securities Lawyer 101 Blog Stock promoters often engage in what is known as stock scalping.  Stock scalping is the illegal and deceptive practice of recommending that others purchase a security while secretly selling the same security.  In recent… Read More

Tips for Going Public With a Direct Public Offering

Direct Public Offering Lawyer – Securities Law Blog More and more issuers going public opt for a direct public offering. In a direct public offering management sells shares of the company’s stock directly to investors, rather than through… Read More

Public Company Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Securities Lawyer 101 Blog To back up the officer and director certifications in periodic reports, issuers must establish and maintain a system of disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that the company records, processes, summarizes and discloses on a… Read More

Form 8-K Disclosure of Shareholder Meetings

Companies with a class of securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended are required to file periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  These reports include annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly… Read More

Crowdfunding Platforms to Watch in 2015

It has been more than a year and the SEC has not finalized its rules with respect to equity crowdfunding under the Title III of the JOBS Act, which would allow an issuer to raise up to $1… Read More

E-Cigarette Scams – American Heritage International

Securities Lawyer 101 Blog Last week, the Financial Industry Regulatory Agency (“FINRA”) issued an investor alert concerning companies touting new technology for electronic cigarettes, often called e-cigarettes.  The SEC recently announced a trading suspension of American Heritage International… Read More

What is a Sponsoring Market Maker? Sponsoring Market Maker Lawyers

  The last step in a going public transaction is for the company to receive a stock trading or ticker symbol from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).  For a company to obtain its ticker symbol, a sponsoring market maker (“Sponsoring… Read More

NASAA Announces Form D Electronic Filing Portal

The North American Securities Administrators Association (“NASAA”) has launched its Electronic Filing Depository (“EFD”) for Rule 506 Form D filings.  NASAA’s EFD was created to allow companies to post Form D’s for Rule 506 offerings online through NAASA’s EFD website.  Rule 506 of Regulation… Read More

SEC Proposes Exchange Act Registration Thresholds

On December 18, 2014, the SEC issued proposals required by the JOBS Act intended to permit non-reporting issuers to delay or avoid becoming SEC reporting companies.  To accomplish this, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) was… Read More

SEC Charges Staten Island Company in Boiler Room Scam

On December 18, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) charged a Staten Island company called Premier Links Inc. and its former president and two sales representative, Dwayne Malloy, Chris Damon, and Theirry Ruffin, with running a boiler… Read More

Operator of a Ponzi Scheme Uses Proceeds to Cryogenically Freeze Wife

Ponzi schemes are nothing new, but unwary investors continue to fall for them, lured by the prospect of improbably large returns. Typically, the scammer who runs the ponzi scheme makes few actual investments in the markets; they simply… Read More

SEC Proposes Amendments to Implement JOBS Act

On December 19, 2014, the SEC approved the issuance of proposed amendments to revise the rules related to the thresholds for registration, termination of registration, and suspension of reporting under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act. Registration under… Read More

NASAA Launches Rule 506 Form D EFD

Securities Lawyer 101 Blog The North American Securities Administrators Association (“NASAA”) has launched its Electronic Filing Depository (“EFD”) for Rule 506 Form D filings.  NASAA’s EFD was created to allow companies to post Form D’s for Rule 506 offerings… Read More

SEC Settles Charges Against Joseph Saranello

On December 17, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”)  announced settled charges against Joseph Saranello who participated in a pump-and-dump scheme involving the stock of Rudy Nutrition. The SEC previously charged thirteen other individuals in the… Read More

Avon Products Charged with Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Violations

On December 17, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) charged Avon Products Inc. with violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) by failing to put controls in place to detect and prevent payments and gifts to… Read More

Why The Rules That Apply To Transfer Agents Are Passé

On December 17, 2014, Luis A. Aguilar released a public statement about why the rules surrounding transfer agents should be updated and modernized. [1]  Unfortunately, the rules governing transfer agents were adopted in the 70’s and 80’s and have… Read More

CANN Settles Lawsuit Against Stephen Calandrella

On September 25, 2014, Advanced Cannabis Solutions, Inc. (“CANN”) sued Stephen G. Calandrella, one of the company’s biggest investors.  Though that may seem paradoxical, CANN alleges in a lawsuit that Calandrella critically damaged the company.  Last spring, on… Read More

SEC Charges Treaty Energy, Management & Attorney

On December 15, 2014, Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) charged Treaty Energy Corporation, Ronald L. Blackburn, Andrew V. Reid, Bruce A. Gwyn, Michael A. Mulshine, Lee C. Schlesinger and Samuel E. Whitley for a stock trading scheme… Read More

Doug Furth Indicted in Kickback Scheme

On December 12, 2014, the  Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filed a civil injunctive action in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, charging Douglas Furth, a stock promoter who resides in Solon, Ohio,… Read More

SEC Sanctions Firms For Lack of Auditor Independence

On December 8, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) sanctioned eight firms for violating auditor independence rules when they prepared the financial statements of brokerage firms that were their audit clients.  The SEC determined that the audit… Read More

SEC Sanctions Bitcoin Stock Exchange Operator

  On December 8, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) announced sanctions against a computer programmer for operating two online venues that traded securities using virtual currencies Bitcoin or Litecoin without being registered as broker-dealers or… Read More

Section 3(a)(10) l The Paper Crime Exemption

Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) provides an exemption from registration that permits a company to issue common stock to public investors “in exchange for one or more bona fide outstanding securities, claims… Read More

SEC Targets Another Promoter In a Reverse Merger Scheme

Securities Law Blog The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) charged another promoter in connection with a reverse merger issuer.  Matthew Carley, a penny stock promoter in Montana with orchestrating a fraudulent pump-and-dump scheme involving the stock of reverse merger… Read More

SEC Charges Traders Cafe Founders As Unregistered Brokers

The Securities & Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) announced securities fraud charges against Albert J. Scipione and Matthew P. Ionno who they allege pursued investors to set up accounts at their Traders Cafe for day trading.  Traders Cafe functioned as a… Read More

Executives of Assisted Living Concepts Charged with Fraud

Securities Law Blog On December 3, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) announced securities fraud charges against Laurie Bebo and John Buono two executives at an assisted living facility accused of listing fake occupants to meet… Read More

FINRA’s OTCBB Replacement To Report Six Digit Trade Prices

Securities Lawyer 101 Blog Recently, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) announced its intention to shut down the OTCBB.com website it had run for many years.  FINRA originally tried to sell the site and the accompanying trading platform,… Read More