News Releases

Sep 19
2016

Travis Iles Named Deputy Securities Commissioner

Texas Securities Commissioner John Morgan announced today that Travis J. Iles has been named Deputy Commissioner of the State Securities Board.

Iles joined the State Securities Board in 2001 and for the past six years served as Assistant Director of the Enforcement Division.

He...

Aug 25
2016

Investor Alert: Scams Target Immigrant Investor Visa Program

An immigrant visa program designed to attract foreign investment in U.S. businesses has also attracted scammers targeting immigrant investors.

At issue is the federal immigrant visa known as the Employment-Based, Fifth Preference (EB-5) visa. Foreign investors who meet certain...

Aug 15
2016

15-Year Sentence for Stock-Trade Scam

Enticed by the promise of quick profits, investors in and around the small South Texas town of Alice sunk at least $5 million into Michael Anthony Collins’ stock-trading operation only to see their money stolen outright or used to fund a Ponzi scheme.

Collins pleaded guilty to charges of...

All News Releases

Enforcement Actions: Administrative

Sep 22
2016

Order No. IC-CAF-16

In the Matter of the Dealer Registration of Charles Schwab & Co. Inc: Reprimand, Fine

Sep 21
2016

Order No. REG16-CAF-02

In the Matter of the Investment Adviser Representative Registration and the Agent Registration of Stephen M. Scheurer: Reprimand, Fine, Registrations Granted

Sep 20
2016

Order No. IC16-CAF-15

In the Matter of the Investment Adviser Registration of Rubicon Investment Management & Analytics LLC: Reprimand, Fine

All administrative actions

Enforcement Actions: Criminal & Civil

Aug 11
2016

Michael Anthony Collins: Sentenced, 15 Years

Michael Anthony Collins pleaded guilty to charges of securities fraud, theft, and money laundering and was sentenced to 15 years on each count on Aug. 11 in Jim Wells County State District Court. The sentences will run concurrently.

Collins was also ordered to pay restitution of $3...

May 26
2016

Nicholas Baratoff: Indicted

Nicholas Baratoff Jr. was indicted on May 26 in Nueces County State District Court on two counts of misapplication of fiduciary property and one count of theft.

Baratoff operated an investment fraud in Nueces County from 2008 to 2015, according to the indictment. He allegedly sold...

May 24
2016

Allan George Cooper: Indicted

Allan George Cooper of Houston was arrested May 24 and charged with wire fraud and mail fraud in a $5 million investment fraud involving at least 50 victims.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas, a federal grand jury returned the indictment of...

All civil & criminal actions

Publications

Texas Investor Guide

Our flagship publication, providing time-tested strategies for investing wisely and avoiding the devastating effects of financial fraud.

Salute to Smart Investing cover

A Salute to Smart Investing

To help active military members achieve financial security, Salute covers investment "basic training," retirement planning, avoiding scams – and much more

 

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