Per today's SEC Digest:
INITIAL DECISION AGAINST JERRY FOSTER, SMITH, BENTON & HUGHES, INC., AND MICHAEL ZAMAN DECLARED FINAL
The Commission gave notice that the initial decision against Jerry L. Foster, Smith, Benton & Hughes, Inc., and Michael Zaman became final. Foster was the chief financial officer and a director of Sky Scientific, Inc. The initial decision found that Foster had violated Securities Act Section 17(a) and Exchange Act Section 10(b) and Rule 10b-5, as well as reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Foster was required to disgorge $29,325 and cease and desist from these violations.
Zaman was the owner, president, compliance officer, and head trader for Smith, Benton, a broker-dealer. The initial decision found that Zaman and Smith, Benton engaged in fraudulent sales practices and sales of unregistered Sky Scientific securities and thus violated Securities Act Sections 5(a), 5(c), and 17(a) and Exchange Act Section 10(b) and Rule 10b-5. Zaman and Smith, Benton were required to disgorge $536,921, jointly and severally, plus prejudgment interest. Smith, Benton was further ordered to pay a civil penalty of $250,000.
The initial decision barred Michael Zaman from association with any broker, dealer, investment adviser, investment company, municipal securities dealer, or a member of registered securities association or of a national stock exchange; ordered him to pay a civil penalty of $175,000; and ordered Zaman to cease and desist from committing any violations or future violations of Sections 5(a), 5(c), and 17(a) of the Securities Act and Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Exchange Act Rule 10b-5. (Rel. 34-41364; File No. 3-9201)
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