SEC Halts Alleged $300 Million Ponzi Scheme by Drive Planning LLC and CEO Russell Todd Burkhalter The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has obtained a preliminary injunction and asset freeze against Atlanta-based Drive Planning LLC and its founder and CEO, Russell Todd Burkhalter, to stop a $300 million real estate […]
Enforcement
Twenty-Six Firms to Pay More Than $390 Million Combined to Settle SEC’s Charges for Widespread Recordkeeping Failures
On August 14, 2024 the SEC announced settlements with 26 broker-dealers, investment advisers, and dual registrants for failures in maintaining and preserving electronic communications. Mark Astarita, a securities defense attorney with Sallah Astarita & Cox, LLC, commented, “We have been telling firms for over a year to review their policies […]
SEC Charges NovaTech and its Principals and Promoters with $650 Million Crypto Fraud
SEC Charges Multi-Level Marketing Company and Promoters with Fraudulent Scheme The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced charges against NovaTech Ltd., a multi-level marketing company, and its promoters for operating a fraudulent scheme that raised over $650 million in crypto assets from more than 200,000 investors worldwide. Alleged Fraudulent […]
SEC Charges OTC Link LLC with Failing to File Suspicious Activity Reports
The SEC has announced charges against OTC Link LLC, a New York-based broker-dealer, for failing to file Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) for over three years. OTC Link has agreed to pay a $1.19 million penalty to settle the charges. Background Broker-dealers like OTC Link are required to file […]
Ideanomics and Three Executives Settle SEC Charges
SEC Cracks Down on Ideanomics and Executives for Fraudulent Activities The SEC has settled fraud charges against Ideanomics, Inc., its former Chairman and CEO Zheng (Bruno) Wu, and current CEO Alfred Poor, for misleading the public about the company’s financial performance between 2017 and 2019. Key Highlights: Misleading revenue […]
SEC Charges Founder of Social Media Company “IRL” with $170 Million Fraud
SEC Charges Abraham Shafi with Fraudulent Activities at Get Together Inc. The SEC’s Allegations Against Abraham Shafi The SEC has charged Abraham Shafi, the founder and former CEO of Get Together Inc., a social media startup known as “IRL.” Shafi is accused of defrauding investors by making false and misleading […]
SEC Charges Nader Al-Naji with Fraud and Unregistered Offering of Crypto Asset Securities
Unveiling the Allegations: Fraudulent Crypto Scheme The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged Nader Al-Naji with orchestrating a multi-million-dollar fraudulent crypto asset scheme involving a social media platform named BitClout and its native token, BTCLT. Raising Funds Through Deception Starting in November 2020, Al-Naji raised over $257 million through […]
SEC Awards Whistleblower More Than $37 Million
The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced an award of more than $37 million to a whistleblower whose information and assistance led to a successful SEC enforcement action. The whistleblower persisted in reporting the misconduct internally,… SEC Press Release
SEC Charges Virginia Engineer with Orchestrating $30 Million Offering Fraud
The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged Babu Ramaraj, a resident of Aldie, Virginia, with defrauding more than 70 investors of approximately $31 million through his company, DAB Inspection and Consulting Services LLC. The SEC’s complaint… SEC Press Release
SEC Launches Interagency Securities Council to Coordinate Enforcement Efforts Across Federal, State, and Local Agencies
The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Enforcement this month launched the Interagency Securities Council (ISC), which invites federal, state, and local regulatory and law enforcement professionals to meet quarterly to discuss the latest in… SEC Press Release