The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced on February 16, 2016 a settlement with Massachusetts-based PTC, Inc. involving alleged violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). In total, PTC was reported to agree to pay approximately $28 million, including nearly $12 million in disgorgement and more than $14 million in…
The New York securities and investment fraud attorneys at Malecki Law are interested in hearing from investors in Highland Funds’ series Energy Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs). Highland Funds’ four Energy MLPs have declined by approximately 23% in the year to date, per Morningstar. These funds include: Highland Energy MLP C…
Brokers beware; FINRA is watching your firm, and you. Becoming embroiled in a regulatory inquiry or investigation can become a major and costly headache and impediment to registered representatives’ business. In January 2016, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) released its annual list of priorities, showing what sorts of sweeps…
The investment fraud attorneys at Malecki Law announce the firm’s investigation into potential securities law claims against broker-dealers relating to the improper sale of natural gas and oil linked structured notes and similar products to investors. Malecki Law is interested in hearing from investors who purchased structured notes issued by…
United Development Funding (“UDF”) has come under fire in recent months – being accused of operating like a “Ponzi scheme.” It has allegedly disclosed that since April 2014, it has been under SEC investigation. UDF operates several publicly-traded and non-traded Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) along with other real estate…
The sad truth is that the Government loves the easy kill. It is often easier for regulators to extract settlements and punishments against smaller market participants, including brokers, traders and analysts, than the giant wire houses, because large companies can match the resources of the Government. The Securities and Exchange…
Thinking about leaving your broker-dealer? Looking to make the transition to a new firm? It has been reported recently that brokers from Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank and potentially Merrill Lynch are being heavily recruited to leave and join new broker-dealers. For those leaving Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, and Merrill (as…
Recently, FINRA issued the 11th Regulatory and Examination Priorities Letter that addresses issues in the financial industry, if left unaddressed could adversely effect market integrity and investors. In 2016 their key points of emphasis have been identified as (1) culture, conflicts of interest and ethics; (2) supervision, risk management and…
FINRA’s recently released Regulatory and Examinations Priority Letter made specific mention of multiple critical areas that the regulator will be focused on for the upcoming year. The one that we will focus on today is the Senior investor and the steps that are and should be taken to prevent elder…
The securities and investment fraud attorneys at Malecki Law are interested in hearing from investors in MainStay Investments’ Cushing series Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) and Energy Equity mutual funds. MainStay Investments is a subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company. Among the MainStay Cushing portfolio of funds, a number of…