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Our experts frequently write blog posts about the findings of the research we are conducting.

Displaying 10 out of 105 results for "Weekly Regulatory Review".

2013 SEC Enforcement Summary

(Dec 2013)

A couple months ago, we provided an analysis of SEC activity as represented by litigation releases. In that post, we commented on the breakdown of SEC litigation releases over time, aggregated by month and weekday. Recently, the SEC has released their enforcement statistics updated for the 2013 fiscal year.

All told, the SEC obtained monetary sanctions of more than $3.4 billion (including disgorgement and penalties) over the 2013 fiscal year. This number represents a nearly 11% increase year...

SEC Litigation Releases: Week in Review - December 27th, 2013

(Dec 2013)

SEC Charges Archer-Daniels-Midland Company with FCPA Violations
December 24, 2013, (Litigation Release No. 22900)
According to the complaint, Archer-Daniels-Midland Company failed to "prevent illicit payments made by foreign subsidiaries to Ukrainian government officials." The SEC found that "ADM's subsidiaries in Germany and Ukraine paid $21 million in bribes" and ADM made "approximately $33 million in illegal profits as a result of the bribery by its subsidiaries." ADM has agreed to be...

Are Managed Futures a License to Steal?

(Dec 2013)

Bloomberg's David Evans raised this question in his recent Fleeced by Fees. David found that 89% of the futures trading profits and interest on collateral in 63 SEC-registered managed futures funds from 2003 to 2012 were consumed by fees and commissions. David's story shines a light on the abusive fees charged by the managed futures partnerships. His story quotes a spokesperson for the National Futures Association self-regulatory organization / trade group as saying that "We can't just give...

SEC Litigation Releases: Week in Review - December 20th, 2013

(Dec 2013)

SEC Charges Detroit Area Man and His Company with Conducting a Pump and Dump Scheme
December 18, 2013, (Litigation Release No. 22892)
According to the complaint, "Randy A. Hamdan and a related entity, Oracle Consultants LLC,...carr[ied] out a pump-and-dump scheme in the securities of CompuSonics Video Corporation" that resulted in illicit proceeds of almost $30,000. The SEC has charged the defendants with violating the Securities Act and Exchange Act and seeks permanent injunctions,...

SEC Litigation Releases: Week in Review - December 13th, 2013

(Dec 2013)

SEC Awarded $400,000 in Disgorgement from Certified Public Accountant for His Violations of Commission Suspension Order
December 12, 2013, (Litigation Release No. 22887)
A court ruling was entered this week that requires Michael H. Taber to pay the government $400,000 "in compensation he received while suspended from appearing or practicing before the Commission as an accountant."

SEC Halts Texas-Based Oil and Gas Investment Scheme
December 6, 2013, (Litigation Release No. 22886)
According to the...

SEC Litigation Releases: Week in Review - December 6th, 2013

(Dec 2013)

SEC Obtains Final Judgment Against Massachusetts-Based Broker and Investment Adviser
December 5, 2013, (Litigation Release No. 22885)
Final judgments were entered against Arnett L. Waters and two entities he controlled, "broker-dealer A.L. Waters Capital, LLC and investment adviser Moneta Management, LLC," for their alleged involvement in the "fraudulent sales of fictitious investment-related partnerships." The final judgment enjoins the defendants from future violations of the securities laws...

Brokers Steal from Elderly Widow

(Dec 2013)

In our day-to-day work, we often come across brokers willing to ruin the lives of the undereducated or underprepared in order to make a quick buck. We thought we'd highlight a particularly egregious example of this from a recent Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) press release.

According to the release, Fernando L. Arevalo and Jimmy E. Caballero encouraged an "elderly widow with diminished mental capacity" to sell two annuities for approximately $300,000 and then moved the funds...

FINRA Foundation Releases Military Financial Capability Survey

(Dec 2013)

Yesterday, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation announced the release of their National Financial Capability Study's Military Survey. The interactive results of the surveycan be accessed online. According to the foundation's president, the study finds that "most servicemembers are taking control of their finances. Three quarters have a retirement account, nearly 80 percent are living within their means, and many have participated in financial...

SEC Litigation Releases: Week in Review - December 2nd, 2013

(Dec 2013)

SEC Charges Weatherford International with FCPA Violations
November 26, 2013, (Litigation Release No. 22880)
According to the complaint, oilfield services company Weatherford International violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act by "authorizing bribes and improper travel and entertainment for foreign officials in the Middle East and Africa to win business, including kickbacks in Iraq to obtain United Nations Oil-for-Food contracts." The company allegedly earned more than "$59.3 million in...

SEC Litigation Releases: Week in Review - November 22nd, 2013

(Nov 2013)

Court Enters Final Judgment by Consent Against SEC Defendant Corey Ribotsky
November 21, 2013, (Litigation Release No. 22873)
A final judgment was entered against Corey Ribotsky who, along with The NIR Group, LLC, allegedly made "false statements to investors regarding the poor performance and trading strategy of the various AJW Funds he managed" during the financial crisis. Ribotsky also allegedly "misappropriated client assets and misled investors about the decision to form the AJW Master...

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