Recent Blog Posts
Receiver Appointed in Florida Investment Fraud Case
On May 12th, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that a receiver has been appointed in the investment fraud case involving the Florida-based advisory firm TCA Fund Management and several of its affiliate companies. Regulators allege that TCA inflated its assets by approximately $130 million. Here, our Miami investment fraud lawyers provide… Read More »
SEC Awards $18 Million to a Whistleblower—the 9th Largest Award in Program’s History
On April 28th, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced its 81st whistleblower award. The $18 million award, which was granted to a securities industry insider who provided critically important information that helped to prompt an investigation and enforcement action, is the 9th largest in the nearly decade long history of the program. Below,… Read More »
Florida Broker Suspended for Forging Client Signatures/Initial to Transfer Funds
Jennifer Lillian Basey (CRD#: 4730054) is a licensed securities broker and registered investment advisor (RIA). From January 2004 to December 2019, Ms. Basey served as a representative for Edward Jones (CRD#: 250) in Fort Myers, Florida. In December, she separated from the brokerage firm after allegations involving unauthorized client signatures. Regulators launched their own… Read More »
Florida Financial Professional Suspended for Falsifying Customer Wire Request, Providing False Information to Investigators
On March 27th, 2020, the National Adjudicatory Council (NAC) released a final decision In the Matter of Department of Enforcement v. Linda C. Milberger—a case related to the allegations of misconduct raised against a securities broker and a financial professional. After reviewing the evidence, the NAC that Linda Milberger of Orlando, Florida falsified two… Read More »
SEC Awards More than $4.1 Million in Whistleblower Compensation Across Three Different Cases
Within the last four weeks, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued whistleblower awards to four individuals across three different legal matters. Since the program was created in 2010, the agency has now awarded more than $398 million in compensation to nearly 80 different people. Below, our South Florida SEC whistleblower lawyers highlight… Read More »
SEC Charges Miami-Beach Unregistered Penny Stock Dealer in Southern District of Florida
On March 24th, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced charges against Justin W. Keener and his company JMJ Financial. According to federal regulators, the Miami Beach man unlawfully acted as an unregistered penny stock dealer. The agency alleges that Mr. Keener generated nearly $22 million in ill-gotten gains—violating federal law and undermining… Read More »
Palm Beach County Broker Barred After Refusing to Cooperate With ‘Selling Away’ Investigation
Antonio Gutierrez Puente (CRD#: 2695224) is a former registered broker and investment adviser. From February 1999 to September 2018, Mr. Puente was a representative at Valic Financial Advisors, Inc. and based at a branch location in Miami. In the fall of 2018, this broker was discharged by Valic Financial following the firm’s internal investigation… Read More »
SEC Charges Florida Resident in Connection With a $26 Million Investment Fraud Scheme
On March 13th, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced securities fraud charges against Denis Sotnikov—a Russian national and resident of Broward County, Florida. Additionally, several companies that he owns and controls were also named as defendants in the complaint. Mr. Sotnikov is accused of selling more than $26 million worth of fraudulent… Read More »
SEC Charges Florida Investment Advisory Firm, Managing Partner in Fraud Case Involving Unregistered Securities
On March 10th, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced securities fraud charges against Kinetic Investment Group LLC—a Sarasota, FL-based investment advisory company—and firm’s managing partner Michael Scott Williams. Regulators believe that the Kinetic Investment Group offered fraudulent, unregistered securities to investors in Florida and Puerto Rico. The company took in more than… Read More »
Securities and Exchange Commission Awards More Than $7 Million in Compensation to a Whistleblower
On February 28th, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that a whistleblower has been awarded more than $7 million in financial compensation. The award—which was the 73rd that has been issued by the agency—was approved after the SEC determined that whistleblower’s information served as the basis of enforcement action. Here, our Miami… Read More »
