SEC Settles with James K. McKillop, Unregistered Public Shell Company Broker
On March 26, 2019 the SEC filed settled charges against recidivist James K. McKillop for acting as an unregistered broker and for failing to timely file required beneficial ownership forms in connection with his position at Tiber Creek… Read More
Category: Blog Posts Tags: James K. McKillop, OTC Markets, Penny Stock, Pump and Dump. SEC Trading Suspension, SEC Action, SEC Complaint, SEC enforcement, SEC enforcement action, SEC Investigation, SEC Subpoena, Securities and Exchange Commission, Securities Fraud, Toxic Lender, trading suspension, Unregistered Broker, Unregistered Dealer
SEC Speaks Reverse Mergers – Going Public
On March 8, 2019, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Jay Clayton and Brett Redfearn, Director of the agency’s Division of Trading and Markets, spoke at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business in New York City. They addressed… Read More
Category: Blog Posts Tags: Direct Listing, DTC chill, DTC Eligibility, DTC Global Lock, DTC Lock, Form 10, Form F-1, Form S--1 filing, Form S-1, Form S-1 Attorney, Form S-1 Attorneys, Form S-1 Capital, Form S-1 Capital Raise, Form S-1 filing requirements, Form S-1 Law Firm, Form S-1 Law Firms, Form S-1 Lawyer, Form S-1 lawyers, Form S-1 Listing, Form S-1 Offering, Form S-1 Prospectus, Form S-1 Registered Offering, Form S-1 Registered Offerings, Reverse Merger, Reverse Merger Listings, Reverse Merger Scams
SEC Halts Ponzi Scheme Targeting Vietnamese Investors
The SEC announced fraud charges and an asset freeze on March 18, 2019, against the operators of a $25 million Ponzi scheme falsely promising high annual returns with minimal to no risk to investors in the Vietnamese community of Orange… Read More
SEC Obtains Final Judgments Against Investment Adviser, Goldsky Asset Management
On January 2, 2019, a federal district court entered final consent judgments against an Australia-based investment adviser, Goldsky Asset Management, LLC, and its owner, Kenneth Grace, for making false and misleading statements about its business in filings with… Read More
Category: Blog Posts Tags: Goldsky Asset Management, insider trading, investment advisor, Officer Director Bar, OTC Markets, Penny Stock, ponzi scheme, Pump and Dump. SEC Trading Suspension, SEC Action, sec bar, SEC Complaint, SEC enforcement, SEC enforcement action, SEC Investigation, SEC Subpoena, SEC Suit, Securities and Exchange Commission, Securities Fraud, Toxic Lender, Trading Suspension Insider Trading, Unregistered Dealer
The Bad Actor Rule of Rule 506(d) – Securities Lawyer 101
Rule 506(c) is not available to certain bad actors. The bad actor rule prohibits an issuer from relying on the exemption if the issuer or certain other persons are subject to certain “Disqualifying Events”.
Category: Blog Posts Tags: Accredited Crowdfunding, Accredited Investor, Accredited Investor Verification, Accredited Investor Verification Provider, Bad Actor, Covered Person, Crowdfund, Crowdfunding, Crowdfunding Capital Raise, Crowdfunding Financing, Crowdfunding Lawyer, Direct Listing, Direct Listing Lawyer, Disqualifying event, Equity, Equity Offering, Exempt Offering, Form C, Form D, offering circular, PPM, Private Placement, Private Placement Memorandum, Regulation CF, Regulation CF Attorney, Regulation CF Attorneys, Regulation CF Capital Raise, Regulation CF Crowdfunding, Regulation CF Funding, Regulation CF Law Firm, Regulation CF Lawyer, Regulation CF Lawyers, Regulation CF offering, Regulation CF Requirements, Regulation Crowdfunding, Regulation Crowdfunding Attorney, Regulation Crowdfunding attorneys, Regulation Crowdfunding Lawyers, Regulation Crowdfunding Offering, Regulation Crowdfunding Reporting, Regulation Crowdfunding Requirements, Regulation Crowdfunding SEC Reporting, Regulation Crowdfunding Securities Offering, Regulation D, Rule 504, Rule 504 Attorney, Rule 504 lawyer, Rule 506, Rule 506 (b), Rule 506-c, Rule 506(b), Rule 506(b) attorney, Rule 506(b) lawyer, Rule 506(c), Rule 506(c) lawyer, Rule 506(d), SEC Registration, Section 4(a)(6) Crowdfunding, Section 4(a)(6) Offering, SECTION 4(A)6, Securities Act, Securities Exemption, Securities Offering
SEC Charges Texas Radio Host for Ponzi Scheme Targeting Elderly Investors
The SEC announced on March 12, 2019 that it has charged Texas resident William Neil “Doc” Gallagher-the self-styled “Money Doctor” featured on three Dallas-area radio stations-in an emergency action to shut down a $19.6 million Ponzi scheme targeting… Read More
Category: Blog Posts Tags: insider trading, Money Doctor, Officer Director Bar, OTC Markets, Penny Stock, ponzi scheme, Pump and Dump. SEC Trading Suspension, SEC Action, sec bar, SEC Complaint, SEC enforcement, SEC enforcement action, SEC Investigation, SEC Subpoena, SEC Suit, Securities and Exchange Commission, Securities Fraud, Toxic Lender, Trading Suspension Insider Trading, Unregistered Dealer, William Neil "Doc" Gallagher
SEC Settles with Joseph Frank Vacante, Biotech Insider Trader
The SEC charged on February 21, 2019, Joseph Frank Vacante, a former employee of a biotech company with insider trading on confidential information regarding the company’s withdrawal of certain products from consideration by the U.S. FDA. Joseph Frank… Read More
Category: Blog Posts Tags: insider trading, Joseph Frank Vacante, Officer Director Bar, OTC Markets, Penny Stock, ponzi scheme, Pump and Dump. SEC Trading Suspension, SEC Action, sec bar, SEC Complaint, SEC enforcement, SEC enforcement action, SEC Investigation, SEC Subpoena, SEC Suit, Securities and Exchange Commission, Securities Fraud, Toxic Lender, Trading Suspension Insider Trading, Unregistered Dealer
SEC Obtains Final Judgment Against Joseph Frank Vacante, Former Broker for Defrauding Customers
On March 1, 2019, a federal district court entered a final consent judgment against broker, William Gennity who was charged with defrauding customers by making unsuitable and unauthorized trades and churning customers’ accounts that enriched the broker at… Read More
Category: Blog Posts Tags: insider trading, Joseph Frank Vacante, Officer Director Bar, OTC Markets, Penny Stock, ponzi scheme, Pump and Dump. SEC Trading Suspension, SEC Action, sec bar, SEC Complaint, SEC enforcement, SEC enforcement action, SEC Investigation, SEC Subpoena, SEC Suit, Securities and Exchange Commission, Securities Fraud, Toxic Lender, Trading Suspension Insider Trading, Unregistered Dealer
SEC Announces Settlement Against Former Investment Adviser, James Polese
On February 22,2019 the SEC announced the entry of a final judgment against James Polese, a former investment adviser at a large financial institution who was charged with misappropriating client funds. On January 31, 2018, the Commission filed… Read More
Category: Blog Posts Tags: insider trading, James Polese, Officer Director Bar, OTC Markets, Penny Stock, ponzi scheme, Pump and Dump. SEC Trading Suspension, SEC Action, sec bar, SEC Complaint, SEC enforcement, SEC enforcement action, SEC Investigation, SEC Subpoena, SEC Suit, Securities and Exchange Commission, Securities Fraud, Toxic Lender, Trading Suspension Insider Trading, Unregistered Dealer
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
Category: Blog Posts Tags: General Cable Corp, insider trading, Officer Director Bar, OTC Markets, Penny Stock, ponzi scheme, Pump and Dump. SEC Trading Suspension, SEC Action, sec bar, SEC Complaint, SEC enforcement, SEC enforcement action, SEC Investigation, SEC Subpoena, SEC Suit, Securities and Exchange Commission, Securities Fraud, Toxic Lender, Trading Suspension Insider Trading, Unregistered Dealer
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
Category: Blog Posts Tags: Joshua Sason, Magna Group, Microcap Stock, OTC Markets, Penny Stock, ponzi scheme, Pump and Dump. SEC Trading Suspension, SEC Action, sec bar, SEC Complaint, SEC enforcement, SEC enforcement action, SEC Investigation, SEC Subpoena, SEC Suit, Securities and Exchange Commission, Securities Fraud, Toxic Lender, Trading Suspension Insider Trading, Unregistered Dealer
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
Category: Blog Posts Tags: Cognizant, FCPA, insider trading, Officer Director Bar, OTC Markets, Penny Stock, ponzi scheme, Pump and Dump. SEC Trading Suspension, SEC Action, sec bar, SEC Complaint, SEC enforcement, SEC enforcement action, SEC Investigation, SEC Subpoena, SEC Suit, Securities and Exchange Commission, Securities Fraud, Toxic Lender, Trading Suspension Insider Trading, Unregistered Dealer
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
Category: Blog Posts Tags: insider trading, Lucent Polymers, Officer Director Bar, OTC Markets, Penny Stock, ponzi scheme, Pump and Dump. SEC Trading Suspension, SEC Action, sec bar, SEC Complaint, SEC enforcement, SEC enforcement action, SEC Investigation, SEC Subpoena, SEC Suit, Securities and Exchange Commission, Securities Fraud, Toxic Lender, Trading Suspension Insider Trading, Unregistered Dealer
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
Category: Blog Posts Tags: Niket Shah, Officer Director Bar, OTC Markets, Penny Stock, ponzi scheme, Pump and Dump. SEC Trading Suspension, SEC Action, sec bar, SEC Complaint, SEC enforcement, SEC enforcement action, SEC Investigation, SEC Subpoena, SEC Suit, Securities and Exchange Commission, Securities Fraud, Toxic Lender, Trading Suspension Insider Trading, Unregistered Dealer
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
Category: Blog Posts
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
Category: Blog Posts Tags: Officer Director Bar, OTC Markets, Penny Stock, ponzi scheme, Pump and Dump. SEC Trading Suspension, Robert Alexander, SEC Action, sec bar, SEC Complaint, SEC enforcement, SEC enforcement action, SEC Investigation, SEC Subpoena, SEC Suit, Securities and Exchange Commission, Securities Fraud, Toxic Lender, Trading Suspension Insider Trading, Unregistered Dealer
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
Category: Blog Posts Tags: Alpine, Alpine Securities, FINRA, FINRA enforcement, John Hurry, Justine Hurry, Scottsdale
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
Category: Blog Posts Tags: Accredited Investor, Accredited Investor Verification, Accredited Investor Verification Provider, Crowdfund, Crowdfunding, Crowdfunding Capital Raise, Crowdfunding Financing, Crowdfunding Lawyer, Form C, Private Placement, Regulation CF, Regulation CF Attorney, Regulation CF Attorneys, Regulation CF Capital Raise, Regulation CF Crowdfunding, Regulation CF Funding, Regulation CF Law Firm, Regulation CF Lawyer, Regulation CF Lawyers, Regulation CF offering, Regulation CF Requirements, Regulation Crowdfunding, Regulation Crowdfunding Attorney, Regulation Crowdfunding attorneys, Regulation Crowdfunding Lawyers, Regulation Crowdfunding Offering, Regulation Crowdfunding Reporting, Regulation Crowdfunding Requirements, Regulation Crowdfunding SEC Reporting, Regulation D, Rule 506, Rule 506 (b), Rule 506-c, Rule 506(c), Securities Offering
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
Category: Blog Posts Tags: insider trading, Officer Director Bar, OTC Markets, Penny Stock, ponzi scheme, Pump and Dump. SEC Trading Suspension, SEC Action, sec bar, SEC Complaint, SEC enforcement, SEC enforcement action, SEC Investigation, SEC Subpoena, SEC Suit, Securities and Exchange Commission, Securities Fraud, Toxic Lender, Trading Suspension Insider Trading, Unregistered Dealer
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
Category: Blog Posts Tags: insider trading, Officer Director Bar, OTC Markets, Penny Stock, ponzi scheme, Pump and Dump. SEC Trading Suspension, SEC Action, sec bar, SEC Complaint, SEC enforcement, SEC enforcement action, SEC Investigation, SEC Subpoena, SEC Suit, Securities and Exchange Commission, Securities Fraud, Toxic Lender, Trading Suspension Insider Trading, Unregistered Dealer
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
Category: Blog Posts Tags: insider trading, John Place, Officer Director Bar, OTC Markets, Penny Stock, ponzi scheme, Pump and Dump. SEC Trading Suspension, SEC Action, sec bar, SEC Complaint, SEC enforcement, SEC enforcement action, SEC Investigation, SEC Subpoena, SEC Suit, Securities and Exchange Commission, Securities Fraud, Toxic Lender, Trading Suspension Insider Trading, Unregistered Dealer
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
Category: Blog Posts Tags: insider trading, Officer Director Bar, OTC Markets, Penny Stock, ponzi scheme, Pump and Dump. SEC Trading Suspension, SEC Action, sec bar, SEC Complaint, SEC enforcement, SEC enforcement action, SEC Investigation, SEC Subpoena, SEC Suit, Securities and Exchange Commission, Securities Fraud, Thomas Laws, Toxic Lender, Trading Suspension Insider Trading, Unregistered Dealer
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
Category: Blog Posts Tags: Craig Arsenault, Fraudulent Scheme, insider trading, Officer Director Bar, OTC Markets, Penny Stock, ponzi scheme, Pump and Dump. SEC Trading Suspension, SEC Action, sec bar, SEC Complaint, SEC enforcement, SEC enforcement action, SEC Investigation, SEC Subpoena, SEC Suit, Securities and Exchange Commission, Securities Fraud, Toxic Lender, Trading Suspension Insider Trading, Unregistered Dealer
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
Category: Blog Posts Tags: Gregory Webb, insider trading, Officer Director Bar, OTC Markets, Penny Stock, ponzi scheme, Pump and Dump. SEC Trading Suspension, SEC Action, sec bar, SEC Complaint, SEC enforcement, SEC enforcement action, SEC Investigation, SEC Subpoena, SEC Suit, Securities and Exchange Commission, Securities Fraud, Toxic Lender, Trading Suspension Insider Trading, Unregistered Dealer
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 …
Category: Blog Posts Tags: Confidential Form S-1, Confidential Registration, Confidential Registration Statement, Confidential Submission, Emerging Growth Company, Form 10, Form 10 Registration, Form 10 Registration Statement, Form F-1, Form S--1 filing, Form S-1, Form S-1 Attorney, Form S-1 Attorneys, Form S-1 Capital, Form S-1 Capital Raise, Form S-1 filing requirements, Form S-1 Law Firm, Form S-1 Law Firms, Form S-1 Lawyer, Form S-1 lawyers, Form S-1 Listing, Form S-1 Offering, Form S-1 Prospectus, Form S-1 Registered Offering, Form S-1 Registered Offerings, Form s-1 registration statement filing, Form S-1 Registration Statements, Form S-1 Resale, Form S-1 Resales, Form S-1 Selling Shareholder, Form S-1 Selling Shareholder Requirements, Form S-1 Selling Stockholder, Form S-1 Selling Stockholder Requirements, Form S-1. Registration Statement, Go Public, Go Public Attorney, Go Public Lawyer, Going Public, Going Public Attorneys, Going Public Lawyer, Going Public Lawyers, going public transactions, Prospectus, Prospectus Requirements, Regulation S-K, S-1 Filing, S-1 Going Public, SEC Registration Statement, SEC Reporting Requirements, securities offerings
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
Category: Blog Posts Tags: insider trading, Officer Director Bar, OTC Markets, Penny Stock, ponzi scheme, Pump and Dump. SEC Trading Suspension, SEC Action, sec bar, SEC Complaint, SEC enforcement, SEC enforcement action, SEC Investigation, SEC Subpoena, SEC Suit, Securities and Exchange Commission, Securities Fraud, Toxic Lender, Trading Suspension Insider Trading, Unregistered Dealer
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
Category: Blog Posts Tags: CoinAlpha Advisors, insider trading, Officer Director Bar, OTC Markets, Penny Stock, ponzi scheme, Pump and Dump. SEC Trading Suspension, SEC Action, sec bar, SEC Complaint, SEC enforcement, SEC enforcement action, SEC Investigation, SEC Subpoena, SEC Suit, Securities and Exchange Commission, Securities Fraud, Toxic Lender, Trading Suspension Insider Trading, Unregistered Dealer
SEC Voluntary Dismisses All Claims Against Jesse Litvak
On December 6, 2018, the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut entered an order dismissing, with prejudice, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s complaint against Jesse Litvak. The court’s order was based on the SEC’s motion… Read More
Category: Blog Posts Tags: insider trading, Jesse Litvak, Officer Director Bar, OTC Markets, Penny Stock, ponzi scheme, Pump and Dump. SEC Trading Suspension, SEC Action, sec bar, SEC Complaint, SEC enforcement, SEC enforcement action, SEC Investigation, SEC Subpoena, SEC Suit, Securities and Exchange Commission, Securities Fraud, Toxic Lender, Trading Suspension Insider Trading, Unregistered Dealer
SEC Charges Technology Fund Adviser, Founder in Fraudulent Scheme
The SEC charged Michael Rothenberg, the founder of San Francisco-based venture capital funds and his investment advisory firm with overcharging investors to fund personal projects, including sending millions of dollars to his own virtual reality production company. The… Read More
Category: Blog Posts Tags: insider trading, Officer Director Bar, OTC Markets, Penny Stock, ponzi scheme, Pump and Dump. SEC Trading Suspension, SEC Action, sec bar, SEC Complaint, SEC enforcement, SEC enforcement action, SEC Investigation, SEC Subpoena, SEC Suit, Securities and Exchange Commission, Securities Fraud, Toxic Lender, Trading Suspension Insider Trading, Unregistered Dealer
SEC Charges Eric “EJ” Dalius, Network Marketer with Masterminding a Multimillion Dollar Ponzi and Pyramid Scheme
The SEC has charged Eric “EJ” Dalius and seven corporate entities that he controlled with defrauding investors through the promotion and operation of a multimillion dollar Ponzi and pyramid scheme. The SEC alleges that Eric “EJ” Dalius, who… Read More
Category: Blog Posts Tags: Eric "EJ" Dalius, OTC Markets, Penny Stock, ponzi scheme, Pump and Dump. SEC Trading Suspension, SEC Action, sec bar, SEC Complaint, SEC enforcement, SEC enforcement action, SEC Investigation, SEC Subpoena, SEC Suit, Securities and Exchange Commission, Securities Fraud, Toxic Lender, Trading Suspension Insider Trading
