SEC charges RIA with insider trading

SEC charges RIA with insider trading
Former NFL player Jack Brewer allegedly used nonpublic information to sell shares in COPsync
AUG 07, 2020

The Securities and Exchange Commission has charged Jack Brewer, a St. Louis Park, Minnesota, registered investment adviser, with insider trading in the securities of COPsync Inc.

Brewer, a former NFL player who owns Brewer Capital Management and a related consulting firm, Brewer Group, sold more than $100,000 of COPsync stock in advance of a company announcement that caused the stock price to fall, the SEC said.

According to the SEC's complaint, Brewer consulted for COPsync, where he obtained material, nonpublic information about the company’s plans to do a stock offering. According to the complaint, Brewer participated in the offering, and the purchase agreement contained a clause obligating him not to sell any shares of the company prior to the announcement of the offering.

Despite his obligations to the company to maintain confidentiality and not to use the confidential information for his own benefit, on Jan. 4 and 5, 2017, Brewer allegedly sold his shares before the company announced the stock offering. This allowed him to profit by approximately $35,000 more than he would have had he waited to sell his shares after COPsync issued its press release, the SEC said.

The SEC is seeking a permanent injunction, disgorgement with prejudgment interest, a civil penalty and a penny stock bar.

Latest News

SEC accuses crypto firm founder of running $425 million Ponzi scheme
SEC accuses crypto firm founder of running $425 million Ponzi scheme

It promised guaranteed principal and 10% monthly returns. The SEC says it invested nothing.

MassMutual Ascend tops $2 billion in RIA annuity sales as advisors warm to income products
MassMutual Ascend tops $2 billion in RIA annuity sales as advisors warm to income products

Ten years after entering the fee-based annuity market, MassMutual Ascend says nearly half its lifetime sales came in the past two years alone – but barriers remain among fee-only advisors.

Fintech bytes: Wealth tech firms target advisor productivity with new integrations
Fintech bytes: Wealth tech firms target advisor productivity with new integrations

Amplify, WealthReach, Zeplyn and Zocks have unveiled partnerships aimed at automating portfolio management, content creation, account opening, and client communication.

Trump Account contributions to get boost from new employer rules
Trump Account contributions to get boost from new employer rules

New Treasury and IRS proposals would let employers add tax-free payroll contributions to the retirement accounts as advisors weigh the fit for client families.

Merit Financial snaps up $900M Bridgeway Group in California push
Merit Financial snaps up $900M Bridgeway Group in California push

The Atlanta-based RIA has now completed nine acquisitions in 2026, with six of those coming from Commonwealth Financial Network's former advisor base.

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