The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced today an award of approximately $1.25 million to a whistleblower. This individual had reported misconduct to the CFTC after initially raising concerns internally within their organization.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has levied a $250 million civil money penalty against JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JPMC) for deficiencies identified in its trade surveillance program. The penalty, announced today, reflects the OCC's findings of shortcomings in JPMC's trading venue coverage and data controls essential for an effective trade surveillance program.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced insider trading charges against Roy Cook, a former board member of Tallgrass Energy LP, and four associates. The charges stem from their alleged trading on material nonpublic information ahead of a public announcement of Blackstone Infrastructure Partners' acquisition offer for Tallgrass. The SEC also accuses Cook of failing to file required disclosure reports related to securities transactions by family trusts. All five defendants have agreed to settlements totaling over $2.2 million in disgorgement, prejudgment interest, and civil penalties.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has fined financial advice firm Independent Financial Management Limited (IFM) for inadequately advising clients, including those associated with the British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS), to transfer out of defined benefit (DB) pension schemes. The FCA has also banned Arthur Cobill, an adviser at IFM, and William Hofstetter, one of its directors, from advising on pension transfers and opt-outs. Additionally, Mr. Hofstetter has been prohibited from holding any senior management function at regulated firms.
Skechers U.S.A. Inc., the California-based footwear company, has reached a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) following charges related to the failure to disclose payments benefiting its executives and their immediate family members. The SEC announced today that Skechers has agreed to pay a $1.25 million civil penalty to resolve the charges.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has formally charged Tyler Loudon, a resident of Houston, Texas, with insider trading related to the acquisition of TravelCenters of America Inc. by London-based oil and gas giant BP p.l.c. The charges, announced today, allege that Loudon, the husband of a BP mergers and acquisitions manager involved in the deal, exploited nonpublic information to pocket $1.76 million in illegal profits.
In an announcement at the American Bar Association's 39th National Institute on White Collar Crime, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco revealed a comprehensive set of initiatives aimed at reinforcing the Department of Justice's (DOJ) commitment to corporate accountability. Among the groundbreaking measures is the creation of a DOJ-run whistleblower rewards program.