SEC Names Stephanie Avakian and Steven Peikin as Co-Directors of Enforcement
The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Acting Director of the Division of Enforcement Stephanie Avakian and former federal prosecutor Steven Peikin have been named Co-Directors of the Division of Enforcement. The Division of Enforcement is the agency's largest unit with more than 1,200 investigators, accountants, trial attorneys, and other professionals. “There is no place for bad actors in our capital markets, particularly those that prey on investors and undermine confidence in our economy,” said Chairman Jay Clayton. “Stephanie and Steve will aggressively police our capital markets and enforce our nation’s securities laws as Co-Directors of the Division of…
Read MoreSEC Charges Brokerage Firm With Failing to Comply With Anti-Money Laundering Laws
The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged a Salt Lake City-based brokerage firm with securities law violations related to its alleged practice of clearing transactions for microcap stocks that were used in manipulative schemes to harm investors. To help detect potential securities law and money laundering violations, broker-dealers are required to file Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) that describe suspicious transactions that take place through their firms. The SEC’s complaint alleges that Alpine Securities Corporation routinely and systematically failed to file SARs for stock transactions that it flagged as suspicious. When it did file SARs, Alpine Securities allegedly frequently omitted the…
Read MoreFee Rate Advisory #3 for Fiscal Year 2017
The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that starting on July 4, 2017, the fee rates applicable to most securities transactions will be set at $23.10 per million dollars. Consequently, each SRO will continue to pay the Commission a rate of $21.80 per million for covered sales occurring on charge dates through July 3, 2017, and a rate of $23.10 per million for covered sales occurring on charge dates on or after July 4, 2017. For more information on the term “charge date,” please refer to Rule 31(a)(3) and Exchange Act Release No. 49928 at http://www.sec.gov/rules/final/34-49928.htm. The assessment on security…
Read MoreSEC Files Charges in Trading Scheme Involving Confidential Government Information
The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced charges in an alleged insider trading scheme involving tips of nonpublic information about government plans to cut Medicare reimbursement rates, which affected the stock prices of certain publicly traded medical providers or suppliers. The SEC’s complaint alleges that David Blaszczak, a former government employee turned political intelligence consultant, obtained key confidential details about upcoming decisions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) from his close friend and former colleague at the agency, Christopher Worrall. According to the SEC’s complaint, Worrall serves as a health insurance specialist in the Center for Medicare…
Read MoreSEC and MSRB to Hold Webinar on Series 50 Exam for Municipal Advisors
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) today announced a joint educational webinar to assist municipal advisors with understanding their professional qualification requirements. The live webinar, scheduled for Thursday, June 15, 2017, from 3-4 p.m. ET, will provide information on signing up for the MSRB's Municipal Advisor Representative Qualification Examination (Series 50 exam), preparing to take the Series 50 exam, and fulfilling municipal advisor firms' SEC registration obligations. "Providing and maintaining accurate and up-to-date information on municipal advisor firms' initial registration forms and subsequent amendments is essential to ensuring the effectiveness of the municipal advisor registration…
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