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SEC Reaches Settlement to Resolve Overcharge Claims

Securities SEC Enforcement Investment Adviser

Securities

On May 10, the SEC announced a settlement of more than $97 million with a dually-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer (the Firm) over three sets of alleged violations of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Securities Act of 1933, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The first violation claims that two of the Firm’s advisory programs charged fees to more than 2,000 clients for due diligence and monitoring services of certain third-party investment managers and investment strategies that were, in fact, not being performed. Second, the Firm recommended “more expensive mutual fund share classes when less expensive share classes were available,” thereby collecting excess sales charges or fees of approximately $110,000 from 63 brokerage clients. Finally, 22,138 accounts paid excess fees due to Firm miscalculations and billing errors. In total, from September 2010 through December 2015, the Firm overcharged certain clients nearly $50 million in fees. Neither admitting nor denying the SEC’s findings, the Firm agreed to create a Fair Fund to refund advisory fees to harmed clients. Specifically, the Fair Fund will consist of almost $50 million in disgorgement, close to $14 million in interest, and a $30 million civil money penalty. Under the terms of the settlement, the Firm is also required to pay an additional $3.5 million in remediation to harmed advisory clients who had underperforming (and unmonitored) investments despite paying for third-party managers and investment strategies.