SEC Charges 22 Unregistered Broker-Dealers-Going Public Attorneys
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Division of Enforcement is pursuing unregistered broker-dealer activity which runs rampant in the penny stock markets. With a reduction of the number of small broker-dealers, there have been limited sources of capital… Read More
FINRA Fines LaSalle Securities For Private Placements
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and the Securities and Exchange Commission require that broker-dealers perform adequate due diligence before letting a registered representative recommend private placements made pursuant to Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933,… Read More
Penny Stock Lawyers, Auditors & Nominees Charged by SEC
On January 15, 2015, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced charges against penny stock lawyers, auditors, and others allegedly involved in a microcap scheme involving bogus Form S-1 registration statements filed with the SEC. According to the SEC,… Read More
SEC Charges Oppenheimer For Penny Stock Sales
Last week, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) announced charges against Oppenheimer & Co. for violations of federal securities laws for improperly selling penny stocks in unregistered offerings on behalf of customers. Oppenheimer agreed to admit wrongdoing and pay $10 million to… 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
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
Ask Securities Lawyer 101
Our Ask Securities Lawyer 101 publications and White Papers provide useful information about forensic and securities law topics including SEC registration statements, Regulation A+, DTC Eligibility and Going Public transactions. The blog is written by securities and going… 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
Second Incarnation of Silk Road Bitcoin Shop Shut Down
On November 6, 2014, U.S. District Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) and Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) announced the arrest of Blake Benthall in connection with his operation and… Read More
SEC Sanctions 10 Issuers for Form 8-K Failures
On November 5, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) announced enforcement actions against 10 companies for failing to file Current Reports on Form 8-K disclosing financing deals and other unregistered securities sales that diluted their shareholders… Read More
The SEC Investigates Bitcoin Companies
Bitcoin blogs have been buzzing recently with news of an SEC investigation into cryptocurrency companies that the agency apparently believes have engaged in potentially illegal securities issuances. Bitcoin has been controversial since it was “invented” several years ago, in… Read More
SEC Obtains Judgments Against James Wheeler and MicroHoldings
Securities Lawyer 101 – Securities Law Blog On October 31, 2014, the Securities & Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) obtained judgments MicroHoldings US, Inc., and its Chief Executive Officer, James Wheeler, in a securities fraud action that was filed… Read More
Brenda Hamilton Securities Attorney
Brenda Hamilton, our law firm’s founder and a securities lawyer has counseled clients in legal and compliance matters involving securities and financial transactions including underwritten and direct public offerings, equity and debt offerings, corporate legal and compliance matters… Read More
SEC Charges E*TRADE Subsidiaries With Improperly Selling Penny Stocks
Securities Lawyer 101 Blog On October 9, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) announced an enforcement action against current and former brokerage subsidiaries of E*TRADE Financial Corporation. According to the SEC charges, E*Trade improperly engaged in… Read More
Dickson Lee of L&L Energy Pleads Guilty to Securities Fraud
On September 23, 2014, Dickson Lee, former CEO of Seattle-based L&L Energy, plead guilty to two counts of securities fraud. The plea was announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington. L&L Energy was… Read More
SEC Charges Heathrow Natural Food & Beverage and Michael Pagnano
On September 23, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) issued an order instituting cease and desist proceedings against Registrar and Transfer Company (“R&T”), a transfer agency registered with the SEC, and its President and CEO Thomas Montrone… Read More
SEC Charges 8 in Pump and Dump Scheme
On September 18, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) announced charges against eight individuals for their roles in an alleged pump-and-dump scheme involving a penny stock company based in California that has repeatedly changed its name and… Read More
SEC Charges Lawbreakers Who Secretly Ran Microcap Company
Posted by Securities Lawyer 101 Blog On July 16, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced SEC charges against James E. Cohen and Joseph Corazzi who secretly controlled Natural Blue Resources including the operational and management decisions of… Read More
SEC Charges 3 Regions Bank Executives
Securities Lawyer 101 Blog On June 25, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) announced fraud charges against three former senior managers of Regions Bank for intentionally misclassifying loans that should have been recorded as impaired for… Read More
SEC Charges Chicago Securities Attorney
On June 12, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) charged a securities attorney and founder of an investment advisory firm located in suburban Chicago with defrauding investors in connection with a real estate venture for… Read More
$875,000 Awarded to SEC Whistleblower By: Brenda Hamilton Attorney
Securities Lawyer 101 Blog This week the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) announced a whistleblower award of more than $875,000 to be split evenly between two individuals who provided tips and assistance to help the agency bring an… Read More
SEC Charges Transfer Agent, IST Shareholder Services By: Brenda Hamilton Attorney
Securities Lawyer 101 Blog On May 28, 2014, the SEC announced fraud charges and an emergency asset freeze against IST Shareholder Services, a transfer agent and its owner, Robert Pearson whose misappropriation scheme was discovered during an SEC examination…. Read More
SEC Charges Jeffrey Berkowitz & Others By: Brenda Hamilton Attorney
Securities Lawyer 101 Blog On May 24, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced the latest in a series of cases against microcap companies, officers, and promoters arising out of a joint law enforcement investigation to unearth penny… Read More
SEC Charges Four Pension Officials for Regulation SHO Violations
Securities Lawyer 101 Blog On May 19, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) announced charges against four former officials at clearing firm Penson Financial Services for their roles in Regulation SHO violations. An SEC investigation found that… Read More
SEC Suspends Cannabusiness Group – By: Brenda Hamilton Attorney
Securities Lawyer 101 Blog On May 7, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) announced the temporary suspension, pursuant to Section 12(k) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”), of trading of the securities of Cannabusiness… Read More
SEC Charges Toronto Consultant and Four Others in China Reverse Merger Schemes
Securities Lawyer 101 Blog On May 5, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission charged a Toronto-based consultant and four associates with conducting illegal reverse merger schemes to bring a pair of China-based companies into the U.S. markets so… Read More
Securities Lawyers Gone Wild l Allen Ross Smith Charged
Securities Lawyer 101 Blog On May 2, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) charged Florida lawyer Allen Ross Smith with fraud in connection with his role in in an advance fee investment scam run by the Switzerland-based… Read More
SEC Charges Barry Bekkedam In Connection with Banyon Fund – By: Brenda Hamilton
The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has filed securities fraud charges against Barry Bekkedam of Hobe Sound, Florida. Bekkedam is the former owner, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Ballamor Capital Management, LLC (“Ballamor”), a formerly SEC-registered… Read More
