SEC Sues Adviser for Violating Cross-Trading Rules
The SEC
has sued an adviser, its affiliated broker-dealer, and its principal for
fraudulently inducing clients through a scheme that involved inflating values
through undisclosed cross-trades. The
adviser advertised a cash management strategy that depended on a liquid market
for preferred utility stocks. When the
market became illiquid, the SEC alleges that the Adviser maintained inflated
values through cross-trades made using the affiliated broker-dealer. The SEC noted its long-standing position that
cross-trades require prior client notice and consent before each transaction.
OUR TAKE:
We don’t often see cases alleging violation of the cross-trading rules. This is a reminder that cross-trades require
client consent before each transaction.