Category Archives: Securities

SEC Charges Richard DeMaria in $4 million Prime Bank Scheme

SEC v. Richard DeMaria, Case No. 1:12-cv-04145 (N.D. Ill.).  On May 30, 2012, the SEC charged Chicago-area resident Richard DeMaria with fraud, alleging that he operated a prime bank scheme that defrauded at least thirteen investors out of approximately $4.3 million.  … Continue reading

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SEC Obtains Emergency Relief Against Jason Konior in $11 Million Fraud

SEC v. Jason Konior, Absolute Fund Advisors, LLC, and Absolute Fund Management, LLC, Case No. 1:12-cv-04145-LLS (S.D.N.Y.).  On May 24, 2012, the SEC obtained a preliminary injunction, asset freeze, and an order for a verified accounting against Jason Konior and his affiliated … Continue reading

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SEC Charges George Levin and Frank Preve in $157 million Ponzi Scheme

SEC v. George G. Levin and Frank J. Preve, Case No. 1:12-cv-21917-UU (S.D. Fl.).  On May 22, 2012, the SEC charged Levin and Preve, who provided the biggest influx of funds into one of the largest-ever Ponzi schemes in South Florida.  From … Continue reading

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SEC Settles With Hedge Fund Adviser Charged With Misleading Investors

In the Matter of Quantek Asset Management, LLC, Bulltick Capital Markets Holdings, LP, Javier Guerra, and Ralph Patino, AP File No. 3-14893.  On May 29, 2012, the SEC issued an Order Instituting Administrative and Cease-And-Desist Proceedings against Quantek, Bulltick, Guerra and Patino.  … Continue reading

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SEC and U.S. Attorney Charge Multiple Company Officers and Penny Stock Promoters in Kickback and Manipulation Schemes

SEC v. Yan K. Skwara and US Farms, Inc., Case No. 0:12-cv-61078-JAL (S.D. Fl.); SEC v. Douglas D. Hague and Clean Coal Technologies, Inc., Case No. 0:12-cv-61076-WJZ (S.D. Fl.); SEC v. Joseph J. Repko, Michael M. Cimino, and Sure Trace … Continue reading

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Oppenheimerfunds Agrees to Pay $35 Million to Settle SEC Charges for Misleading Statements During Financial Crisis

In the Matter of Oppenheimerfunds, Inc. and Oppenheimerfunds Distributor, Inc., AP File No. 3-14909.  On June 6, 2012, the SEC issued an Order Instituting Cease-And-Desist Proceedings against Oppenheimerfunds, Inc. (“OFI”) and Oppenheimerfunds Distributor, Inc. (“OFDI”) for making misleading statements about … Continue reading

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SEC Charges Walter Clarke and Investment Firm With Fraud

In the Matter of Oxford Investment Partners, LLC and Walter J. Clarke, AP File No. 3-14899.  On May 30, 2012, the SEC issued an Order Instituting Cease-And-Desist Proceedings against Phoenix-based investment adviser Walter Clarke for concealing his personal stake in … Continue reading

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CFTC Charges CTI Group, LLC, Cooper Trading, Stephen Symons, and James Kline With An $11 Million Fraud in the Sale of Automated Trading Systems

CFTC v. CTI Group, LLC et al., Case No. 1:12-cv-03754-ALC (S.D.N.Y).  On May 25, 2012, the CFTC announced that it had charged CTI Group, LLC, Cooper Trading, Stephen Craig Symons, and James David Kline with fraudulent sales practices in connection with … Continue reading

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CFTC Charges Bradley Schiller in $7.8 Million Ponzi Scheme

CFTC v. Bradley Scott Schiller, Case No. 12-cv-04043 (N.D. Il.).  On May 24, 2012, the CFTC charged Bradley Scott Schiller with solicitation fraud, misappropriating investors’ funds, and issuing false statements in connection with a $7.8 million Ponzi scheme in which Schiller … Continue reading

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SEC and Stephen H. Guth Settle Insider Trading Charges Concerning Omrix Tender Offer

SEC v. Stephen H. Guth, Case No. 1:12-cv-00842 (RBW) (D.D.C.).   On May 24, 2012 the SEC filed a settled civil enforcement action against Stephen H. Guth for buying Omrix Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. common stock ahead of a public announcement that Johnson & Johnson … Continue reading

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