On February 20, 2020 the US District Court for the Southern District of New York issued final judgments against a father and son accused of insider trading. According to the complaint filed on February 14, 2020, Jon L. Aronson learned during the course of his employment with an insurance company about a future business acquisition for that company. Shortly after obtaining this confidential information, Jon purchased stock in the company that his employer sought to acquire. Jon also shared the information with his father Elliet N. Aronson who also purchased stock in the same company. After Jon realized that his stock purchase made him liable for insider trading, he sold all of the shares he purchased before the acquisition was made public; he advised his father to do the same. However, Elliet chose not sell his shares. When his son’s employer announced the acquisition, Elliet Aronson made $20,310.72 in profits. Both father and son consented to final judgments without admitting or denying the charges against them. As a result, they were enjoined from violating Section 10 (b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder that prohibits them from participating in any scheme to defraud, mislead or deceive anyone involved in the sale or purchase of any security. They were each ordered to pay a civil penalty of $20,310.72 to the SEC pursuant to Section 21A of the Exchange Act. In addition, Elliot Aronson was ordered to pay disgorgement of $20,310.72 as well as prejudgment interest of $2,100.88.
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