SEC charges two unregistered brokers with fraud

SEC charges two unregistered brokers with fraud
Cold-callers Jason Arthur and Christopher Bongiorno were unlicensed when they pitched investors the securities of two U.S. companies
MAR 02, 2020

The Securities and Exchange Commission charged two unregistered brokers with engaging in fraud in connection with the sales of securities that netted millions of dollars in commissions.

According to the SEC's complaint, Jason Allan Arthur of Henderson, Nev., and and Christopher Joseph Bongiorno of Shaker Heights, Ohio, used aliases to convince the management of two energy and manufacturing companies that they held the requisite securities licenses to engage in investor solicitations. From September 2015 through November 2018, the two allegedly solicited individual investors throughout the United States to invest in the securities of US Lighting Group and Petroteq Energy.

Operating under their aliases, the two used lead lists to cold-call prospective investors and hired others to work under them to solicit investors, according to the SEC’s complaint. In order to obfuscate their receipt of commissions, the two allegedly submitted misleading invoices to the companies, the SEC said.

Mr. Arthur allegedly received commissions totaling $1.17 million, while Mr. Bongiorno allegedly received commissions of $2.36 million.

Latest News

Advisor moves: LPL recruitment momentum continues with $815M Northwestern Mutual team
Advisor moves: LPL recruitment momentum continues with $815M Northwestern Mutual team

Meanwhile, Raymond James and Tritonpoint Partners separately welcomed father-son teams, including a breakaway from UBS in Missouri.

SEC chief Atkins signals caution on prediction market ETFs amid broader rethink of novel fund structures
SEC chief Atkins signals caution on prediction market ETFs amid broader rethink of novel fund structures

Paul Atkins has asked staff to solicit public comment on novel ETFs, pausing the clock on as many as 24 filings linked to the booming event contracts market.

Private capital's $1 trillion bet on the American retirement account
Private capital's $1 trillion bet on the American retirement account

From 401(k)s to retail funds, Deloitte sees private equity and credit crossing into mainstream investing on two fronts at once.

Advisor moves: Wells Fargo Advisors pulls in $9.6b in fresh talent during first half of May
Advisor moves: Wells Fargo Advisors pulls in $9.6b in fresh talent during first half of May

Big-name defections from Morgan Stanley, UBS, and Merrill Lynch headline a busy two weeks of recruiting for the wirehouse.

Why uncertainty is making behavioral coaching more valuable than ever
Why uncertainty is making behavioral coaching more valuable than ever

Markets have always been unpredictable. What has changed is the amount of information investors are trying to process and the growing role advisors play in helping clients avoid emotional decisions

SPONSORED Are hedge funds the missing ingredient?

Wellington explores how multi strategy hedge funds may enhance diversification

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