Securities Industry Commentator by Bill Singer Esq WEEK IN REVIEW

January 25, 2020






Florida man pleads guilty to wire fraud for scheme to defraud investors with claims of successful commodities trading / Solicited more than $1 million in investments - used more than $280,000 for own expenses (DOJ Release)

SEC Charges Founder of Purported Blockchain Marketplace for Fraudulent ICO (SEC Release)

SEC Files Charges Against Scheme to Sell Fictitious Interests in Marijuana Company (SEC Release)

Asheville Man Pleads Guilty To Securities Fraud And Money Laundering For $22 Million Ponzi Scheme / The Defendant Admitted to Defrauding more than 23 Victims, Including some at, or near, Retirement Age (DOJ Release)

CFTC Orders Australian Company to Pay $1 Million for Spoofing (CFTC Release)

Prudential Wins Dismissal of Tortious Interference Claim (BrokeAndBroker.com Blog)

FINRA Fines and Suspends Operations Manager for Falsely Affixing Signature Stamps. FINRA Department of Enforcement, Complainant, vs Shawna Choate, Respondent (Order Accepting Offer of Settlement, FINRA Office of Hearing Officers)


California man who falsely claimed ties to Moroccan Royal Family pleads guilty to $10 million dollar advance fee fraud scheme (DOJ Release)

Chicago Investment Manager Indicted on Fraud Charges for Allegedly Swindling Money From Women He Met Online (DOJ Release)

Two People Indicted For $30 Million Dollar Fraud Scheme Involving Blockchain Technology Company (DOJ Release)

SEC Charges Convicted Criminal Who Conducted Fraudulent ICO Using a Fake Identity (SEC Release)

What exactly to make of the Barron's article about Orion being listed for sale by Raymond James for $1.8 billion -- and how it boils down to 'when', not if (RIABiz.com by Oisin Breen)

SEC Charges Construction Management Consulting Company and Former Employees with Accounting Fraud (SEC Release)

SEC Charges Operator of Substance Abuse Center with Securities Fraud (SEC Release)

Former Congressman Christopher Collins Sentenced For Insider Trading Scheme And Lying To Federal Law Enforcement Agents (DOJ Release)

In the Matter of the Application of TMR Bayhead Securities, LLC For Review of Disciplinary Action Taken by FINRA (Opinion, SEC, '34 Act Release 88006; Admin. Proc. File No. 3-18869)

FINRA Promotes Jessica Hopper to Head of Enforcement (FINRA Release)