The SEC Charges Software Executive and Three Friends with Insider Trading

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has brought insider trading charges against a former software executive, Christopher Salis, and his three close friends, Douglas Miller, Edward Miller and Barrett Biehl, who allegedly made  over half a million dollars based upon an illegal tip regarding a corporate merger. According to the SEC complaint, Christopher Salis was a global vice president at SAP America, Inc. (SAP) when he became aware of plans for an upcoming SAP merger with Concur Technologies, Inc. (Concur).  Salis allegedly tipped his close friend, Douglas Miller, who allegedly then passed on the tip to his brother, Edward Miller and another friend, Barrett Biehl.  Douglas Miller and his brother, Edward, allegedly rushed to open brokerage accounts in order to quickly begin trading in securities of Concur based upon the tip from Mr. Salis.  In total, the complaint notes that the tip from Mr. Salis yielded illicit trading profits of over $545,000 for Douglas and Edward Miller, Barrett Biehl, the Miller’s parents and another friend.  The SEC complaint further alleges that Mr. Salis received at least $10,400 in kickbacks and his startup company later received nearly $80,000 from Mr. Miller and his family. 

Continue Reading

SEC Charges Two California Men with Ponzi Scheme Targeting Middle-Class Investors

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed a Complaint against Jaswant “Jason” Gill and Javier Rios, both California residents, and their company, JSG Capital Investments, with operating a classic Ponzi scheme aimed at middle-class investors with promises of exclusive investment opportunities and guaranteed annual returns of up to 60%, according to the SEC’s press release. The SEC alleges that Mr. Gill and Mr. Rios, through their company JSG Capital Investments, raised approximately $10 million by catering to average retail investors and promising exorbitant returns by investing in hot pre-IPO stocks of well-known companies like Uber and Airbnb.  According to the SEC Complaint, Mr. Gill and Mr. Rios used most of the investors’ funds to pay returns to earlier investors, in classic Ponzi scheme fashion.  Further, the Complaint alleges that Mr. Gill and Mr. Rios personally pocketed at least $2.8 million of investors’ funds for their personal use, including excursions to Las Vegas casinos, gentlemen’s clubs, and professional sporting events.

Continue Reading

SEC Charges Defendant For Market Manipulation

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed suit against Adam S. Gottbetter, a current Boca Raton, FL resident. The SEC alleged that Mr. Gottbetter used his New York office for the planning and implementing of a market manipulation scheme. Two Canadian stock promoters were also charged for assisting Mr. Gottbetter. The SEC alleged that this case involves three market manipulations schemes to increase the stock price of three different publicly traded securities. It further alleged that Mr. Gottbetter played the role of architect and facilitator, using his law office as headquarters to plan the schemes. The SEC alleged that Mr. Gottbetter and the Defendants planned to pump the company’s stock prices and then sell the shares they controlled, reaping huge profits.

Continue Reading