securities litigation: news
Media Mention
New Law Encourages Whistleblowers
July 28, 2010 -- Hedge Fund Alert
Steven Feldman notes that the financial overhault legislation known as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act contains a provision that authorizes the SEC to pay an aggregate of $300 million to whistleblowers with insiders' knowledge of fraud. He says, however, that the legislation places some constraints on prospective whistleblowers, requiring them to retain counsel before approaching the SEC, for instance, in an attempt to eliminate false claims of wrongdoing.
Media Mention
Reports of criminal probe send Goldman Sachs stock plunging
May 1, 2010 -- Los Angeles Times
Steven Feldman casts doubt on the likelihood of the DOJ's bringing a criminal action -- no less a successful criminal action -- against Goldman Sachs, saying the SEC probably shared with the DOJ information throughout the civil investigation. The DOJ would probably be farther along in its work than it appears to be, if this were likely to be treated as a criminal matter, he says.
Media Mention
Harry Markopolos, Madoff's Nightmare
April 16, 2010 -- Investor's Business Daily
Howard Elisofon calls Harry Markopolos a hero in this story, which describes the former fund manager's efforts to convince regulators that Madoff was a fraud. The story mentions our lawsuit against the SEC on behalf of Madoff's victims, and notes that Elisofon says Markopolos' informal investigation, findings, and numerous reports to the SEC will be a component of our case.
Media Mention
U.S. Sued Over SEC’s ‘Negligence’ in Madoff’s Fraud
March 18, 2010 -- Bloomberg News
This story notes that we sued the SEC on behalf of three clients -- a charity and two individual investors -- who lost money in the Madoff scheme. This was our firm's second round of suits against the commission, the first coming in 2009, and it follows by three months the SEC's motion to dismiss our first two complaints.
Media Mention
Securities Fraud and Madoff Case
January 4, 2010 -- Lawline
Howard Elisofon discusses securities litigation, particularly as it relates to the Madoff fraud, in this taped television interview. He also discusses our firm's suit against the SEC on behalf of Madoff's victims.
Media Mention
SEC Invokes Immunity in Negligence Suit by Madoff Victims
December 16, 2009 -- The AmLaw Litigation Daily
The government's motion to dismiss our suit against the SEC on behalf of two Madoff investors claims the SEC acted with proper discretion and therefore has immunity, this item notes.
Media Mention
SEC Seeks Dismissal of Madoff Victims Negligence Suit
December 15, 2009 -- Bloomberg News
Howard Elisofon, our lead attorney in our suit against the SEC on behalf of two Madoff investors, says the government's motion to dismiss -- and the grounds on which the government relies -- come as no surprise. The government claims immunity and that it had discretion to act as it did in handling the Madoff scheme.
Media Mention
Start Date Is Critical in Ponzi Plan
November 24, 2009 -- The New York Times
Our motion on behalf of a Madoff investor -- which the Times and a disinterested attorney both called "novel" -- is highlighted in this story, which notes that the start date of the Madoff scheme may have a significant impact on the fortunes of entities that began investing with Madoff many years ago. Therese Doherty and John Oleske are both named in this story, which covers our attempts to recover money and protect the investor from a clawback action.
Media Mention
Two Investors Sue SEC Over Madoff Probe
October 15, 2009 -- The Wall Street Journal
This story announces our suit on against the SEC on behalf of Madoff victims and notes that we were the first firm in America to file such an action.
Media Mention
S.E.C. Sued Over Madoff Fraud
October 14, 2009 -- New York Times DealBook
This story announces our suit on against the SEC on behalf of Madoff victims and notes that we were the first firm in America to file such an action.
Media Mention
Madoff Victims File Suit Against SEC
October 14, 2009 -- The AmLaw Litigation Daily
This story announces our suit on against the SEC on behalf of Madoff victims and notes that we were the first firm in America to file such an action.
Media Mention
Madoff victims sue SEC for 'negligence'
October 14, 2009 -- CNNMoney.com
This story announces our suit on against the SEC on behalf of Madoff victims and notes that we were the first firm in America to file such an action.
Media Mention
Madoff Victims' Lawyer Elisofon Interview
October 14, 2009 -- Bloomberg Television
Howard Elisofon, appearing live, discusses our lawsuit against the SEC on behalf of two Madoff investors, and tells why we should prevail.
Media Mention
Madoff Victims Sue SEC
October 14, 2009 -- CNBC's Power Lunch
As we held a press conference to announce our lawsuit against the SEC on behalf of Madoff investors -- the first of its kind in the nation -- John Oleske simultaneously appears live on network television to describe the suit, what relief we seek for our clients, and why we believe we will prevail.
Media Mention
Madoff Victims Sue SEC
October 14, 2009 -- The Business Insider
This story announces our suit on against the SEC on behalf of Madoff victims and notes that we were the first firm in America to file such an action.
Media Mention
Madoff Victim Speaks Out
October 14, 2009 -- Fox Business Channel
As we hold a press conference to announce our lawsuit against the SEC on behalf of Madoff investors -- the first such action in the nation -- Therese Doherty and our client Phyllis Molchatsky appear live on network television to announce the suit, describe the relief we seek, and discuss why we believe we will prevail.
Media Mention
The Madoff Exiles
September 27, 2009 -- New York Magazine
Howard Elisofon and our client Phyllis Molchatsky discuss how the firm -- on behalf of Phyllis -- came to file an action against the SEC over its actions and inactions in the Madoff fraud.
Media Mention
Fox Business Live
September 2, 2009 -- Fox Business Channel
Steven Feldman tells a live network audience that the SEC Inspector General's report about the commission's actions and inactions in the Madoff fraud was a deservedly blistering review.
Media Mention
DiPascali Fallout
August 12, 2009 -- CNBC
In light of the guilty plea of Madoff associate Frank DiPascali, David Rosenfield says the scope of the fraud appears wide and deep. Prosecutors are hoping that DiPascali will help them unravel how the fraud was perpetrated and who was involved.
Media Mention
Victims Await Sentencing For Bernard Madoff
June 24, 2009 -- WCBS-TV
At a press conference where he announced that our firm filed seven new actions against the SEC, Howard Elisofon says the government should compensate Madoff victims because the SEC was negligent in how it investigated the fraud.
Media Mention
Madoff Victims Seethe at SEC
June 24, 2009 -- MyFox Channel 5
At a press conference announcing that we had filed seven new actions against the SEC on behalf of Madoff victims, Howard Elisofon says that the government should be held accountable and compensate the victims as a result of the SEC's negligence.
Media Mention
SEC rejects Madoff claim; investor may sue
June 24, 2009 -- Daily Finance
Our client, the Madoff victim Phyllis Molchatsky, has the right to sue the SEC now that the government has rejected her administrative claim, Howard Elisofon says.
Media Mention
SEC Won't Cover Investor's $1.7M In Madoff Losses
June 24, 2009 -- Law360
The SEC's rejection of our administrative claim on behalf of our client, the Madoff victim Phyllis Molchatsky, gives her legal standing to file a federal lawsuit against the SEC, alleging negligence in how it investigated the fraud, Howard Elisofon says.
Media Mention
Madoff Victims Express Anger at SEC
June 24, 2009 -- WNBC-TV
At a press conference announcing that the SEC had rejected our initial administrative claim on behalf of a Madoff victims and that our firm had filed seven new claims, Howard Elisofon describes why the government should be held liable for the SEC's actions.
Media Mention
SEC rejects Madoff investor claim for damages
June 23, 2009 -- Reuters
The SEC rejected our administrative claim against the SEC on behalf of our client Phyllis Molchatsky, clearing the way for us to sue on her behalf in federal court. She is seeking money damages as recompense for what she lost with Bernard Madoff. The story also notes that we envision filing similar actions on behalf of other Madoff vicitims shortly.
Media Mention
More financial fraud cases seen after US overhaul
June 17, 2009 -- Reuters
The proposed U.S. financial regulatory overhaul, which gives added power to the SEC and other regulators and which broadens definitions of misconduct by those in the financial services sector, will probably lead to more investigations and prosecutions, Steven Feldman says. The increased scrutiny and changed definitions of what constitutes violations will affect the criminal and civil litigation landscapes, he says.
Media Mention
Battling Giants–An Attorney Takes On The SEC
June 9, 2009 -- www.madoff-help.com
In a section of the Madoff victims' website called "Meet The Pros," Howard Elisofon does a question-and-answer on our firm's work in clawback counsel and defense and on our action against the SEC on behalf of individual investors who lost money in the Madoff scam.
Media Mention
How Supreme Nominee May Side in Industry Fee Case
May 28, 2009 -- Ignites.com
Judge Sonia Sotomayor, nominated for the Supreme Court, does not appear to be pro-business, Jason D'Angelo says, but she has decided cases for business defendants and appears to appreciate the issues that mutual funds face. That will be especially important as the Supreme Court decides an excessive-fee case.
Media Mention
Target Madoff
May 23, 2009 -- Fox News Channel
Therese Doherty discusses clawbacks, and our client Phyllis Molchatsky discusses her action against the SEC, in this one-hour documentary on the Bernard Madoff scandal.
Media Mention
Lawyers: Madoff Investors Could Face Legal Action
April 23, 2009 -- Newsday.com
Howard Elisofon is quoted in this article about how some Madoff investors who received false profits could face legal action aimed at taking back money they withdrew before the Ponzi scheme was uncovered.
Media Mention
Madoff Strikes Again
April 23, 2009 -- CNBC
Howard Elisofon appears live to discuss the clawback letters that the SIPC trustee began sending to Madoff victims last Friday.
Media Mention
Trustee Seeking Return Of Withdrawn Funds
April 22, 2009 -- The Wall Street Journal
Howard Elisofon is quoted in this article about the request for Madoff investors to return money they withdrew in the six years before Madoff’s firm collapsed. Howard notes that this is an insensitive request since many lost more money from the fraud than they took out.
Media Mention
Investors continue with plan to force Madoff into bankruptcy
April 14, 2009 -- USA Today
Creditors' attempts to force Bernard Madoff into bankruptcy against the wishes of the Department of Justice and court-appointed trustee would give indirect investors -- those who invested through feeder funds -- "a central legal forum" they lack otherwise, Stephen Selbst says. He cautions, however, that the on-going criminal investigation may delay a new bankruptcy trustee while prosecutors decide whether to turn over records.
Media Mention
Morgan Stanley to pay $7 million in penalties
March 25, 2009 -- The Associated Press
Howard Elisofon is quoted in a story about FINRA's settlement with both Morgan Stanley and our client -- a branch manager at the brokerage -- of regulatory charges that both failed to supervise brokers.
Media Mention
Morgan Stanley Settles Claim Brokers Misled Retirees
March 25, 2009 -- Bloomberg News
Howard Elisofon is quoted regarding FINRA's settlement of regulatory charges against our client -- a branch manager for a major brokerage -- that he failed to supervise brokers in his branch office.
Media Mention
Should the Gov't Bailout Madoff Victims?
March 17, 2009 -- CNBC's The Call
Therese Doherty advocates for government compensation for Madoff victims, in the form of tax relief, direct payments, or establishment of a victims' compensation fund, in this live debate.
Media Mention
Madoff's Massive Fraud
March 12, 2009 -- CNBC's Power Lunch
Steven Feldman discusses bail issues, possible further targets of investigations, the tactics and strategies of prosecutors and defense counsel, and tracing the sources of relatives' assets as Bernard Madoff pleads guilty to criminal charges.
Media Mention
Lewis on Banking Recovery
March 12, 2009 -- CNBC's Power Lunch
Steven Feldman opines that the SEC dropped the ball in investigating Bernard Madoff and notes that our firm has commenced an action against the commission on behalf of a client who was a Madoff victim. Fast forward to 6:25 to see Feldman's analysis.
Media Mention
Madoff Pleads Guilty
March 12, 2009 -- Fox News Channel's Fox & Friends
Howard Elisofon and our client, Phyllis Molchatsky, a Madoff victim, discuss her action against the SEC and her feelings about Madoff and how he victimized so many people.
Media Mention
Spotlight
March 9, 2009 -- CNN Headline News
Howard Elisofon and our client, Phyllis Molchatsky, appear live to discuss the Madoff case and Phyllis' complaint against the SEC in which she hopes to recover money she lost.
Media Mention
R. Allen Stanford Still Not Charged
February 19, 2009 -- CNBC
In a live appearance, Therese Doherty explains that investors need to do their own due dilligence and not count on the SEC to protect them fully.
Media Mention
NY Investment Exec Charged In $370M Ponzi Scheme
January 28, 2009 -- Securities Law 360
This story about the arrest of Nicholas Cosmo for allegedly running a Ponzi scheme on Long Island notes that Arthur Jakoby and Steven Feldman represent Cosmo and arranged for his voluntary surrender to authorities.
Media Mention
New City woman targets SEC for Madoff loss
January 23, 2009 -- The Journal News
Howard Elisofon discusses the etiology and legal basis for our complaint against the SEC on behalf of a Madoff victim, who appears on video in the newspaper's on-line version.
Media Mention
Victim: Madoff took 'all my money'
January 22, 2009 -- MSN Money
Howard Elisofon is quoted at length -- and appears in two video clips -- in this multi-media story about our client Phyllis Molchatsky, the first Madoff victim to commence an action against the SEC.
Media Mention
Feds put Madoff victims on hot seat
January 15, 2009 -- Crain's New York Daily Alert
Howard Elisofon warns that Madoff victims who redeemed principal and are considering applying for SIPC coverage may be giving the court-appointed trustee a road map to suing them to claw back the redemptions.
Media Mention
Congress Probes SEC
January 5, 2009 -- CNBC Reports
David Rosenfield live, alongside former SEC Chairman Harvey Pitt, analyzes the SEC's role in the Madoff scheme.
Media Mention
The Madoff Agenda
December 31, 2008 -- CNBC's Power Lunch
David Rosenfield, in a live appearance during the trading day, analyzes which of Madoff's victims will have access to relief from SIPC, the depth of Madoff's likely disclosures to federal authorities about his remaining assets, whether he likely acted alone, and whether an insanity defense might fly.
Media Mention
Madoff & His Hidden Money
December 30, 2008 -- CNBC Reports
David Rosenfield appears in a live, prime-time segment discussing our firm's lawsuit against the SEC over its role in the Madoff affair, what the litigation landscape may look like, and other Madoff-related topics.
Media Mention
Market's ripe for flimflams, broker scams
December 28, 2008 -- The Star-Ledger
Arthur Jakoby discusses how rogue securities brokers who repeatedly thwart regulators' attempts to reign them in pose a danger to legitimate investors. He notes this phenomenon in an article about a longtime New Jersey swindler and how difficult economic times breed financial misdeeds.
Media Mention
Madoff Litigation Mounts
December 24, 2008 -- Fox Business Channel
In a live segment, Howard Elisofon describes our action against the SEC on behalf of a client who lost her life savings in the Madoff affair. Howard discusses sovereign immunity, why we believe our claim against the SEC can trump that likely defense, tax issues that Madoff's victims face and the possibility of the court-appointed receiver's seeking claw-back disgorgements.
Media Mention
Madoff Victim Sues SEC
December 23, 2008 -- CNBC's Power Lunch
Howard Elisofon describes our action against the SEC on behalf of a client who lost money she had invested with Bernard Madoff's funds. He analyzes why -- despite sovereign immunity -- he believes the SEC is vulnerable here.
Media Mention
New York investor sues SEC over losses in Madoff fund
December 23, 2008 -- Bloomberg News
Howard Elisofon explains why we commenced an action against the SEC on behalf of our client, an investor who was nearly wiped out in the Madoff affair. He discusses why the SEC is potentially liable for money damages despite its likely claim of sovereign immunity.
Media Mention
Investor tries to hold SEC liable for Madoff losses
December 23, 2008 -- Reuters
In a story picked up nationally and internationally, Howard Elisofon explains why we commenced an action against the SEC on behalf of our client whose life savings were nearly wiped out in a fraud allegedly perpetrated by Bernard Madoff. Howard discusses the government's likely defense of sovereign immunity and explains why we view the SEC as potentially liable for money damages.
Media Mention
Investor Who Lost Money in Alleged Scheme Seeks Relief From SEC
December 23, 2008 -- The Wall Street Journal
Howard Elisofon announces that we are the first law firm to commence an action against the SEC on behalf of a victim who lost money in the fraud allegedly perpetrated by Bernard Madoff. Howard discusses the government's likely claim of sovereign immunity and our belief that the SEC's actions leave it liable for money damages for failing to detect or contain the fraud.
Media Mention
Suing the Hedge Funds
December 22, 2008 -- CNBC's Power Lunch
In a live segment, Therese Doherty argues that hedge funds, financial advisors and other intermediaries are not necessarily liable for investors' losses in the Madoff matter because they appear to have met the industry's standard of care.
Media Mention
Madoff's Many Victims?
December 16, 2008 -- CNBC Reports
Appearing live, Therese Doherty discusses the SEC's role in investigating alleged frauds such as the one that Bernard Madoff is accused of perpetrating.
Media Mention
Virtual Worlds: It's a Legal Jungle in There
November 26, 2008 -- E-Commerce Times
Steven Feldman notes that virtual worlds such as Second Life could be breeding grounds for securities fraud, with people using avatars to spread insider information or perpetrate pump-and-dump schemes. He analyzes how defense attorneys are likely to neutralize prosecutions of fraud.
Media Mention
Ruined by 401(k) Predators
July 2, 2008 -- Business Week
Howard Elisofon is quoted regarding allegations that financial advisers took advantage of retirees and damaged their retirement savings.
Media Mention
Bear Sterns Likely to Face Hedge Fund Lawsuits
June 28, 2007 -- The New York Times
Scott Tross is quoted in a story that examines the likelihood that Bear Sterns will be sued over the collapse of one of its hedge funds and the possible defenses it might raise.
Media Mention
Court Ruling May Broaden Auditor Liability
March 19, 2007 -- Compliance Week
James Moss is quoted on recent federal appellate decisions that found that auditors could be liable under securities laws for their failure to correct false financial statements.
Media Mention
Class Action Lawyers Pounce on Subprime Crisis
March 14, 2007 -- Reuters
Scott Tross is quoted in this story about potential class action litigation against lenders and possibly their auditors and bankers, and possible defenses against investors' claims arising from the subprime meltdown.
Media Mention
Distressful Opportunities
February 20, 2006 -- Barron's
Scott Tross is quoted in a story that examines how delinquent and defaulted commercial loans are purchased by funds and opportunistic investors.