SEC charges New York investment firm and its founder with fraud

SEC charges New York investment firm and its founder with fraud
Battery Private and Jeffrey Slothower allegedly misappropriated $1 million in two separate schemes.
AUG 18, 2021

The Securities and Exchange Commission has charged New York-based Battery Private, an investment firm, and its founder Jeffrey Slothower with misappropriating more than $1 million from a client and prospective client and defrauding investors in two separate schemes, as well as submitting false information on SEC filings.

The SEC's complaint alleges that in Slothower’s first alleged scheme, he misappropriated more than $1 million from an advisory client and her spouse, a prospective client. In the second, he allegedly made material misrepresentations in connection with private sales of a penny stock owned by Battery Private.

The SEC’s complaint further alleges that Slothower exaggerated the size of Battery Private's regulatory assets under management in SEC filings.

The complaint seeks disgorgement of ill-gotten gains with prejudgment interest, civil penalties and permanent injunctive relief, among other remedies.

Many parents still clueless about college costs

Latest News

Want to get the most out of alts? You’ll have to do your homework
Want to get the most out of alts? You’ll have to do your homework

Advisors who expect an edge from alternatives' illiquidity premium – without understanding the underlying terms and explaining them to clients – have a world of learning to do.

'Finfluencer' Ponzi scheme defrauds investors of over $20M
'Finfluencer' Ponzi scheme defrauds investors of over $20M

The social influencer Tyler Bossetti pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aiding in the filing of false tax documents as a result of the real estate scheme, which ran from 2019 to 2023 and used platforms including Facebook and YouTube.

US annuity sales see sixth straight $100B+ quarter
US annuity sales see sixth straight $100B+ quarter

The latest LIMRA data release shows continued growth in RILAs, variable annuities, and FRD products, though researchers argue more education is still needed.

RIA moves: Thiel's Indivisible welcomes Ride Wealth Partners, $4B Beacon snaps up Astor
RIA moves: Thiel's Indivisible welcomes Ride Wealth Partners, $4B Beacon snaps up Astor

Indivisible Partners builds on its strategy to take turf in the independent space with its latest move in Colorado.

Advisor moves: LPL adds $425M Evermark Investment Partners, $300M Merril Lynch group hops to Ameriprise
Advisor moves: LPL adds $425M Evermark Investment Partners, $300M Merril Lynch group hops to Ameriprise

LPL's latest addition, a San Diego team defecting from RBC, represents a milestone for the broker-dealer giant's Strategic Wealth model for wirehouse breakaways.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.

SPONSORED Beyond the dashboard: Making wealth tech human

How intelliflo aims to solve advisors' top tech headaches—without sacrificing the personal touch clients crave