SEC Litigation Releases

SEC Dismisses Civil Enforcement Action Against Nader Al-Naji

The SEC announced the dismissal, with prejudice, of its civil enforcement action against Nader Al-Naji and several relief defendants. The dismissal is based on the specific facts and circumstances of the case, as outlined in a joint stipulation filed with the court. The case number is 1:24-cv-05738-JAV.

SEC Obtains Partial Consent Judgments Against Legacy Cares Defendants

The SEC announced partial consent judgments against defendants in a municipal bond offering fraud case. The judgments enjoin the defendants from future securities law violations. This action stems from an alleged scheme involving fabricated documents to inflate revenue projections for a sports complex, leading to bond defaults.

SEC Obtains Final Judgment Against Investment Adviser in Cherry-Picking Scheme

The SEC announced it has obtained a final judgment against Matthew J. Werthe, dba HSR Wealth Management, for engaging in a cherry-picking scheme. The judgment orders Werthe to pay disgorgement, prejudgment interest, and a civil penalty totaling over $1.1 million.

SEC Files Proposed Settlement with Rainberry for Wash Trading Claims

The SEC has filed a proposed settlement with Rainberry, Inc. for wash trading claims, requiring a $10 million civil penalty. This settlement, if approved by the court, would resolve the SEC's claims against Rainberry related to wash trading and dismiss all remaining claims against Rainberry and other defendants, including Justin Sun and associated foundations.

SEC v. Ofer Abarbanel - Fraud Orchestrator

The SEC announced a final consent judgment against Ofer Abarbanel, the alleged orchestrator of a $100 million fraudulent scheme involving two mutual funds. Abarbanel was permanently enjoined from future violations and ordered to pay disgorgement, offset by amounts already recovered and forfeited in a parallel criminal case.

SEC Dismisses Civil Enforcement Action Against Vidul Prakash

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has dismissed its civil enforcement action against Vidul Prakash. The dismissal was filed via a joint stipulation with the defendant and is with prejudice, meaning the case cannot be refiled. The SEC cited the facts and circumstances of the case, including evidence developed in discovery, as the basis for its decision.

SEC v. Fernando Passos - Fraud Enforcement Action

The SEC announced a final consent judgment against Fernando Passos, former executive vice president of IRB Brasil Resseguros S.A., for fraud. Passos is permanently enjoined from violating antifraud provisions, barred from serving as an officer or director of a public company, and ordered to pay a $500,000 civil penalty.

SEC Obtains Final Judgments Against Mining Company and Executives

The SEC announced final judgments by consent against Western Sierra Resource Corporation and its executives Roger Johnson and Dennis Atkins. The company and executives were charged with issuing false and misleading statements regarding the acquisition of gold mining claims. Johnson and Atkins each agreed to pay a $150,000 civil penalty, a three-year officer-and-director bar, and a five-year penny-stock bar.

SEC Obtains Consent Judgment Against Defendant in Fraud Case

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.

SEC Obtains Final Judgments in Insider Trading Case

The SEC announced the entry of final consent judgments against Joseph C. Lewis, Carolyn W. Carter, Patrick J. O’Connor, and Bryan L. Waugh in an insider trading case. The judgments include penalties, disgorgement, and prejudgment interest totaling over $2.3 million.