Friday, October 5, 2018

SEC News - Fraud Charges, Failure to Report Suspicious Trading, and Misleading Investors


Elon Musk Settles SEC Fraud Charges; Tesla Charged With and Resolves Securities Law Charge
Elon Musk, CEO and Chairman of Silicon Valley-based Tesla Inc., has agreed to settle the securities fraud charge brought by the SEC against him last week. The SEC also charged Tesla with failing to have required disclosure controls and procedures relating to Musk’s tweets, a charge that Tesla has agreed to settle. The settlements, which are subject to court approval, will result in comprehensive corporate governance and other reforms at Tesla—including Musk’s removal as Chairman of the Tesla board—and the payment by Musk and Tesla of financial penalties.

Brokerage Firm to Exit Penny Stock Deposit Business and Pay Penalty for Repeatedly Failing to Report Suspicious Trading
The SEC announced settled charges against clearing firm COR Clearing LLC for failing to report suspicious sales of penny stock shares totaling millions of dollars. As part of the settlement, COR has agreed to exit a key penny stock clearing business by significantly limiting the sale of penny stocks deposited at COR.

Credit Suisse Agrees to Pay $10 Million to Settle Charges Related to Handling of Retail Customer Orders
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC has agreed to settle charges brought by the SEC and the Office of the New York Attorney General regarding material misrepresentations and omissions made in connection with its now-closed Retail Execution Services (RES) business’ handling of certain customer orders.

SEC Charges LendingClub Asset Management and Former Executives With Misleading Investors and Breaching Fiduciary Duty
San Francisco-based LendingClub Asset Management LLC (formerly known as LendingClub Advisors LLC) and its former president have been charged with fraud for improperly using fund money to benefit LendingClub Corporation, LCA’s parent company.

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The attorneys at Sallah Astarita & Cox include veteran securities litigators and former SEC Enforcement Attorneys. We have decades of experience in securities litigation matters, including the defense of enforcement actions. We represent investors, financial professionals and investment firms, nationwide. For more information call 212-509-6544 or send an email to mja@sallahlaw.comThe Securities Law Blog.