News & Analysis as of

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Enforcement Actions Privately Held Corporations

BCLP

SEC Again Cracks Down on Companies That Restrict Whistleblowers

BCLP on

As discussed in our December 15, 2023 client alert, the SEC has waged an aggressive effort to enforce alleged violations of the whistleblower protection rule.  On September 9, 2024, the SEC announced settled charges resulting...more

Epstein Becker & Green

#WorkforceWednesday: SEC Cracks Down on Private Companies for Violating Whistleblower Protections - Employment Law This Week®

Epstein Becker & Green on

This week, we’re focusing on three recent Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charges against employers for violating whistleblower protection laws and how all employers should take extra steps to ensure compliance in...more

Snell & Wilmer

New Year, New Laws – Congress Passes Major Anti-Money Laundering Act

Snell & Wilmer on

On January 1, 2021, Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, an omnibus bill that includes the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 (“AMLA”). The AMLA bans the use of anonymous shell companies...more

Oberheiden P.C.

Defending Against Securities Fraud Litigation Triggered by an SEC Investigation

Oberheiden P.C. on

For public and private companies in all industries, the risk of being targeted in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation is a very real concern. As new and innovative securities offerings continue to be...more

Proskauer - The Capital Commitment

Five Principles For Accurate and Reliable Portfolio Company Valuations

We have seen the SEC increase its focus on valuation of privately-held portfolio companies recently. The SEC’s increased focus is in line with our prediction made in the Top Ten Regulatory and Litigation Risks for Private...more

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Skadden's 2020 Insights

Despite political and economic uncertainties, markets and deal activity were resilient in 2019, and strong fundamentals remain in place heading into 2020. Companies continue to face a challenging litigation and enforcement...more

Holland & Hart - The Benefits Dial

[Don’t] Tell Me Lies, Tell Me Sweet Little Lies … or the SEC will charge you with fraud

Many private companies assume that if valid federal and state exemptions from registration are available for private company securities that there is little risk of problems with the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC). ...more

Proskauer - The Capital Commitment

Fraud Claims Against Startup Founder Involving Secondary Market Sales Demonstrate SEC Focus on Privately-Held Companies

Last week the SEC announced a settlement of fraud claims against the founder of Jumio, Inc, a private mobile payments company, for misstating the company’s financial results and using those financials to sell his company...more

Proskauer - The Capital Commitment

Unicorns: The Tale Continues

Potential disputes involving unicorns have been a hot topic for the last several years. We predicted that would continue this year in in our webinar and related blog post: The Top Ten Regulatory and Litigation Risks for...more

A&O Shearman

Private Company Fined for Failure to Comply with Rule 701 in Option Exercises

A&O Shearman on

On March 12, 2018, the United States Securities & Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) fined a late-stage private company $160,000 as a result of its failure to comply with the enhanced disclosure requirements of Rule 701 in...more

Knobbe Martens

Theranos Charges Provide Perspective for Medical Device Companies, Biotechnology Companies, and Investors

Knobbe Martens on

On March 14, 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced it filed charges against the founder and CEO of Theranos Inc., Elizabeth Holmes, and its former president, Ramesh Balwani....more

Farella Braun + Martel LLP

SEC San Francisco Regional Enforcement Director Confirms SEC Private Company Enforcement Trend Will Continue

At a recent panel organized by San Francisco’s Federal Bar Association, the San Francisco Regional Director of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Jina Choi, confirmed that the agency continues to focus on investor...more

Fenwick & West LLP

SEC Fines Private Company in First Enforcement Action Resulting from Rule 701 Option Grants Investigation

Fenwick & West LLP on

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission brought an action against San Francisco-based Credit Karma on March 12 for issuing employee stock options without a valid registration exemption because the issuer failed to satisfy...more

Farella Braun + Martel LLP

With Zenefits Settlement Award SEC Demonstrates Continued Commitment to “Unicorn” Scrutiny Despite Administration Change: Same Old...

Last week the SEC announced it had reached an agreement with privately-held company Zenefits, and its co-founder and former CEO Parker Conrad, to settle allegations that Zenefits materially misled Series B and C investors....more

Farella Braun + Martel LLP

Developments in SEC Private Company Enforcement: Sophisticated VC’s in the Role of Victim

The announcement that San Francisco private company Hampton Creek faces an SEC inquiry related to their alleged “buyback” program of vegan mayo comes as no shock... As soon as the facts were initially reported it seemed only...more

Proskauer - The Capital Commitment

Theranos, the SEC’s Pursuit of Unicorns, and Taking the Reins of Internal Controls

In the wake of a host of negative developments, Theranos Inc. is reportedly under investigation by the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC and DOJ inquiries are likely to focus on...more

Fenwick & West LLP

Securities Enforcement Alert: SEC Increases Scrutiny of “Unicorns” and Other Private Companies and Secondary Market Trading of...

Fenwick & West LLP on

In an unprecedented one-day blitz, the Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission was joined by the SEC Enforcement Director in events in Silicon Valley and San Francisco on March 31 focused on one message: the SEC is...more

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