Introduction The SEC has filed claims against Crowe U.K. LLP, a prominent London-based audit firm, its CEO, Nigel Bostock, and senior auditor, Matthew Stallabrass. The charges stem from the firm’s alleged inadequate audit of Akazoo Limited, a notable music-streaming company. This exposé sheds light on the critical details surrounding the […]
Tag: SEC Enforcement
Grupo Aval Fined $40 Million for Violating Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
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 […]
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 […]
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 Announces Charges for Unregistered Securities
The SEC‘s Allegations The SEC announced charges against Richard Heart, also known as Richard Schueler, and three unincorporated entities under his control: Hex, PulseChain, and PulseX. The charges stem from their involvement in conducting unregistered offerings of crypto asset securities, which garnered over $1 billion in crypto assets from investors. […]
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 […]
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 […]
SEC Charges Two Oregon Residents with $10 Million Ponzi-Like Scheme
Introduction The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has taken action against Robert D. Christensen and Anthony M. Matic, along with their affiliated companies, for orchestrating a Ponzi-like scheme and defrauding investors who invested over $10 million in promissory notes. This article provides an overview of the case and highlights the […]