Carleen Bongat

Carleen Bongat is a researcher and contributor at InvestmentNews, covering US court cases and legal developments at the intersection of wealth management, financial planning, and regulatory compliance. Based at Key Media, she brings a background in legal research and business communications to her reporting on cases spanning federal and state courts — including matters before the Delaware Court of Chancery, the Second Circuit, and the Fourth Circuit. Her work tracks litigation that directly affects financial advisors, investment firms, and their clients across the United States.

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Carleen Bongat
Displaying 38 results
Legal: Virginia Supreme Court raises bar for overturning FINRA arbitration awards
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE FEB 27, 2026
Legal: Virginia Supreme Court raises bar for overturning FINRA arbitration awards

An arbitrator overlooked a past business tie – Virginia's top court said that's not enough.

First Circuit ruling backs SEC’s billion‑dollar micro‑cap crackdown
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE FEB 20, 2026
First Circuit ruling backs SEC’s billion‑dollar micro‑cap crackdown

Secret “Q system” ledger, 10‑year clawback and tough bans put schemers on notice

Legal: Compliance chief pocketed $78,490 cherry-picking winning trades for himself
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE FEB 13, 2026
Legal: Compliance chief pocketed $78,490 cherry-picking winning trades for himself

The person supposed to prevent fraud orchestrated it. Nobody was watching the watchdog.

Legal: Court frees Signature Bank from liability in $33M crypto Ponzi scheme
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE FEB 13, 2026
Legal: Court frees Signature Bank from liability in $33M crypto Ponzi scheme

Money flowed to insiders, not crypto exchanges. Court says banks owe no duty to non-customers.

Court forces Stronghold to liquidate $97M fund after missing deadlines
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE FEB 09, 2026
Court forces Stronghold to liquidate $97M fund after missing deadlines

Manager missed liquidation deadlines for years. Court appoints magistrate to oversee sale.

Legal: Judge rejects Musk's bid to dismiss SEC Twitter disclosure case
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE FEB 04, 2026
Legal: Judge rejects Musk's bid to dismiss SEC Twitter disclosure case

Case survives dismissal attempt. Musk faces potential $150M disgorgement.

Court denies Coinbase bid to kill $2.9 billion insider trading lawsuit
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE FEB 02, 2026
Court denies Coinbase bid to kill $2.9 billion insider trading lawsuit

Investigator co-invested with Andreessen 50 times. Court says that's a problem.

Northwestern Mutual beats defamation suit over FINRA reports
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE JAN 29, 2026
Northwestern Mutual beats defamation suit over FINRA reports

Employee sued after firm reported her to FINRA. Court's ruling changes compliance game.

Court allows investor claims against Jefferies over $19M SPAC deal
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE JAN 28, 2026
Court allows investor claims against Jefferies over $19M SPAC deal

Advisor doubled projections between clients. Court says that's a problem.

SEC bars Florida manager over $2.5M merchant cash advance scheme
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE JAN 27, 2026
SEC bars Florida manager over $2.5M merchant cash advance scheme

Erick M. Ruiz raised millions through merchant cash advance agreements promising 10% monthly returns before federal regulators stepped in.