Former fund CEO agrees to pay $5.5 million over fraud charge

Former fund CEO agrees to pay $5.5 million over fraud charge
The SEC charged Robert Press, the former CEO of TCA Fund Management, and Donna Silverman, its former chief portfolio manager, with inflating net asset values.
SEP 30, 2021

After charging Robert D. Press, former CEO of the advisory firm TCA Fund Management Group, and Donna M. Silverman, its former chief portfolio manager, for their roles in a scheme to artificially inflate the net asset values and performance results of several funds managed by TCA, the Securities and Exchange Commission settled with the two.

Without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings, Press agreed to be barred from the securities industry and to pay disgorgement of overcharged management and performance fees he received of $4,409,546 plus prejudgment interest of $755,178, and a penalty of $292,570.

Silverman agreed to limitations on acting in a director or officer capacity in the securities industry, but has the right to reapply after three years; she will pay a penalty of $50,000.

The SEC charged that, through Press’s actions, TCA fraudulently inflated the net asset values and performance of the company's funds by recording nonbinding transactions and fraudulent investment banking fees on the funds’ books and records, which showed the funds as always having positive monthly returns.

In fact, without those false transactions, the TCA funds would have had at least 34 months of negative returns since their inception, the SEC said.

Latest News

How AI search aided scam from phony NFL player, fake financial advisor
How AI search aided scam from phony NFL player, fake financial advisor

Daejon Love and Taylor Chan's $1.3 million romance fraud scheme exposes how AI search engines can be manipulated by fabricated online identities

Schwab ordered to pay clients $1.34 million in crypto dispute involving elderly client
Schwab ordered to pay clients $1.34 million in crypto dispute involving elderly client

“It was a third party scam,” said the attorney representing the claimants.

RIA moves: Mercer adds to Atlanta presence with veteran advisor from Northern Trust
RIA moves: Mercer adds to Atlanta presence with veteran advisor from Northern Trust

Meanwhile, &Partners draws another Commonwealth practice, and Wealthcare welcomes a $550 million planning practice in the Northeast.

CogniCor adds wealthtech veterans to board in renewed RIA push
CogniCor adds wealthtech veterans to board in renewed RIA push

Palo Alto AI platform recruits RIA and fintech leaders as industry data show AI adoption reshaping advisor staffing.

Advisor moves: Merrill draws $1.2 billion UBS team in New Mexico
Advisor moves: Merrill draws $1.2 billion UBS team in New Mexico

Meanwhile, Raymond James, Wedbush, and LPL recruited veteran advisors from across Texas, North Carolina, and California.

SPONSORED Direct indexing webinar targets tax-loss harvesting amid market swings

Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income