Alaska slaps ‘adviser’ with $7.4 million in penalties

Alaska slaps ‘adviser’ with $7.4 million in penalties
Garrett Elder and his Tycoon Trading firm also ordered to pay $7.4 million in restitution for issuing and selling unregistered securities.
OCT 20, 2022

Alaska securities officials have ordered Anchorage resident Garrett Elder and his Tycoon Trading firm to pay a civil penalty of $7.43 million and restitution of an identical amount, plus interest, for issuing and selling unregistered securities and for acting as an investment adviser without being registered.

State regulators said Elder sold securities in the form of participation in profit-sharing agreements, investment contracts, and speculative trading in foreign currencies to Alaska residents through his business, Tycoon Trading. This took place between February 2017 and this past September. Neither Elder, Tycoon Trading nor the securities offered were ever registered with the state, however, according to a cease-and-desist order filed by the state.

The order also stated that Tycoon issued statements to investors reflecting positive earnings on investments.

“Those statements were falsified,” the order stated. “All or substantially all of the investors’ assets have been dissipated. Despite repeated attempts, investors have been unable to access their funds.”

“This scheme appears to have targeted Elder’s friends, family, and social networks. We take this extremely seriously,” said Robert Schmidt, director of the Alaska Division of Banking and Securities, said in a statement.

'IN the Office' with annuity expert Tamiko Toland

Latest News

Stratos Wealth Holdings closes 11 acquisitions in push for advisory scale
Stratos Wealth Holdings closes 11 acquisitions in push for advisory scale

RIA aggregator adds $4.8 billion in client assets across seven states as demand grows for alternatives to traditional succession models.

Beyond wealth management: Why the future of advice is becoming more human
Beyond wealth management: Why the future of advice is becoming more human

As technical expertise becomes increasingly commoditized, advisors who can integrate strategy, relationships, and specialized expertise into a cohesive client experience will define the next era of wealth management

Shareholder sues FS KKR Capital board, alleges NAV and dividend cover-up
Shareholder sues FS KKR Capital board, alleges NAV and dividend cover-up

Shareholder targets FS KKR Capital's directors over alleged portfolio valuation and dividend missteps.

UBS loses $1.2 million arbitration claim linked to variable annuities and margin
UBS loses $1.2 million arbitration claim linked to variable annuities and margin

UBS has a history of costly litigation stemming from the sale of volatile investment products.

'We are monitoring the situation,' SEC says of private funds
'We are monitoring the situation,' SEC says of private funds

New director David Woodcock puts firms on notice over fees, conflicts, and liquidity risk as private credit shows signs of stress.

SPONSORED Beyond wealth management: Why the future of advice is becoming more human

As technical expertise becomes increasingly commoditized, advisors who can integrate strategy, relationships, and specialized expertise into a cohesive client experience will define the next era of wealth management

SPONSORED Durability over scale: What actually defines a great advisory firm

Growth may get the headlines, but in my experience, longevity is earned through structure, culture, and discipline