Introduction: The SEC has taken legal action against Colombian conglomerate Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores S.A., commonly known as Grupo Aval S.A., along with its subsidiary, Corporación Financiera Colombiana S.A. (Corficolombiana), for their alleged violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). This case sheds light on illicit activities within […]
Enforcement
Theorem Fund Services Settles Charges for Ignoring Red Flags in a Fraud Scheme
Aug. 7, 2023 — The SEC announced settled charges against Theorem Fund Services LLC (TFS), a prominent fund administrator based in Boca Raton, Florida. The charges were brought against TFS for their failure to respond adequately to red flags related to a fraud perpetrated against a private fund and its […]
AI Use Investigated by Gavin
William Galvin, the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, has opened an investigation into the use of artificial intelligence by brokers. The investigation aims to understand how brokers use AI in their practices and whether there are any potential risks or issues related to its implementation. The focus is on ensuring […]
SEC Obtains Emergency Relief to Halt Crypto Asset Fraud Scheme Involving 18 Defendants
The SEC has obtained a temporary asset freeze, restraining order, and other emergency relief against Digital Licensing Inc., doing business as DEBT Box, and 18 other defendants in connection with a fraudulent scheme to sell crypto asset securities to hundreds of U.S. investors that raised approximately $50 million and unspecified […]
SEC Charges Florida Investment Adviser a Second Time for Insider Trading
Agrees to pay a penalty equal to three times his unlawful profits to settle charges Introduction The SEC filed a complaint against Charles Rustin Holzer, a former broker and family office executive. This comes after Holzer settled charges by the SEC last year related to his trading in options of […]
SEC Charges Samuel Masucci for Misleading ETF and Obtaining Rescue Financing
Introduction On August 1, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) brought charges against Samuel Masucci and entities under his control for allegedly disadvantaging an exchange-traded fund (ETF) they managed and misleading the ETF’s trustees to secure $20 million in rescue financing, thereby avoiding potential bankruptcy. As a result of […]
Introduction to SEC Investigations
Introduction SEC Investigations, and ultimately SEC enforcement proceedings, can be disruptive, and devastating events for individuals and corporations. Next to hiring an experienced securities defense attorney, knowing what to expect during the investigation will help you achieve your desired result. As former SEC Staff Attorneys, and Securities Defense Attorneys, the attorneys […]
Eddy Alexandre, CEO Of EminiFX Sentenced To Nine Years In Prison For $240 Million Scheme To Defraud Investors
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that EDDY ALEXANDRE was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John P. Cronan to nine years in prison for engaging in commodities fraud. ALEXANDRE was the leader of a purported cryptocurrency and foreign exchange (“forex”) trading […]
SEC Charges Florida Resident with Operating $35 Million Ponzi Scheme that Targeted Church Members
The SEC charged Brent Seaman of Naples, Florida, with fraudulently raising approximately $35 million from at least 60 investors through an unregistered securities offering. According to the SEC, Seaman told investors he would use their money to invest in technology companies and to trade currencies and commodities, but instead, he […]
SEC Charges Celsius Network Limited and Founder Alex Mashinsky with Fraud and Unregistered Offer and Sale of Securities
On July 13, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged Celsius Network Limited (Celsius) and its founder and former CEO, Alex Mashinsky, with violating registration and anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws. The SEC alleged that Celsius failed to register the offers and sales of its crypto lending […]