SEC Obtains Consent Judgment Against Defendant in Fraud Case

SEC Litigation Releases

Filed February 23rd, 2026

Detected February 26th, 2026

Summary

The SEC announced it obtained a final consent judgment against Charles T. Lawrence, Jr. in a civil enforcement action. Lawrence was charged with a multi-million dollar offering fraud, misappropriating at least $4.89 million of investor funds. The judgment permanently enjoins him from violating securities laws and orders disgorgement.

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The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has secured a final consent judgment against Charles T. Lawrence, Jr. in its civil enforcement action, concluding the litigation. Lawrence was accused of conducting an offering fraud, falsely representing a defunct Swedish entity, promising unrealistic weekly returns of 25% to 100% with no risk, and ultimately misappropriating at least $4.89 million of investor funds for personal use. The judgment permanently enjoins Lawrence from violating key provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and orders him liable for disgorgement of approximately $3.99 million, which is deemed satisfied by restitution in a parallel criminal case.

This action signifies the final resolution of the SEC's case against Lawrence, highlighting the severe consequences of securities fraud and misappropriation of investor funds. While the SEC's litigation is complete, regulated entities and investors should remain vigilant against similar fraudulent schemes. The case underscores the importance of due diligence when evaluating investment opportunities and the SEC's commitment to pursuing individuals who engage in deceptive practices and defraud investors.

Source document (simplified)

Charles T. Lawrence and Landes Prive, LLC

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Litigation Release No. 26492 / February 25, 2026

Securities and Exchange Commission v. Charles T. Lawrence, Jr. et. al., No. 2:23-cv-550-pp (E.D. Wis. filed May 1, 2023)

SEC Obtains Final Consent Judgment Against Defendant Charged in a Multi-Million Dollar Offering Fraud

On February 23, 2026, the U.S District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin entered a final judgment by consent against Charles T. Lawrence, Jr. in the SEC’s civil enforcement action against him.

According to the SEC’s complaint, from at least February 2022 through filing of the complaint, Lawrence engaged in an offering fraud in which he falsely represented that he was the managing director of a Swedish entity, Landes and Compagnie Trust Privé KB, that was defunct by at least February 2022. The complaint further alleged that Lawrence told investors, falsely, that the investment contracts he offered were expected to provide weekly returns of 25% to 100%, and the investors’ funds would not be at risk. As alleged, Lawrence directed investors to send their money directly to an account in the name of Landes Prive, LLC, an entity he controlled, and then Lawrence misappropriated at least $4.89 million of investor funds for personal purchases. In addition, Lawrence allegedly sent more than $689,000 of investor funds to five relief defendants, against each of whom the SEC previously obtained final judgments.

The final judgment against Lawrence permanently enjoins him from violating Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. The final judgment also orders Lawrence liable, jointly and severally with relief defendant Landes Prive, for disgorgement of $3,588,713 plus prejudgment interest of $402,534, for a total of $3,991,247, which is deemed satisfied by the order of restitution entered against Lawrence in the parallel criminal case, United States v. Charles T. Lawrence, No. 2:23-cr-00096 (E.D. Wis.). The SEC previously obtained final judgments as to the five relief defendants. The final judgment as to Lawrence completes the SEC’s litigation on this matter.

The SEC’s investigation was conducted by Matthew T. Wissa and supervised by Jeffrey A. Shank of the Chicago Regional Office. BeLinda I. Mathie led the litigation.