The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged Merrill Lynch with false and misleading disclosures relating to two collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) and false records relating to a third CDO. Merrill Lynch settled the case for $131.8 million simultaneous with the filing of the SEC’s charges. According to the SEC, Merrill Lynch hid important facts from investors about a hedge fund known as Magnetar Capital, LLC and its involvement over the selection of collateral for the CDOs Octans I CDO Ltd. and Norma CDO I Ltd. Magnetar had undisclosed conflicts of interest. It bought the equity in the CDOs and hedged that equity position by shorting against the CDOs themselves.
According to George S. Canellos, one of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement Co-directors, “Investors did not have the benefit of knowing that a prominent hedge fund firm with its own interests was heavily involved behind the scenes in selecting the underlying portfolios.” The SEC revealed damning emails in its press release. One email explained the secret arrangement: “We pick mutually agreeable (collateral) managers to work with, Magnetar plays a significant role in the structure and composition of the portfolio… And in return (Magnetar) retains the equity class and we distribute the debt.” Magnetar’s ability to influence the portfolio composition was in conflict with the interest of the debt investors. Merrill Lynch misrepresented the parties to the warehouse agreement; it hid the fact that Magnatar was one of three parties to the agreement. Magnatar excuted trades that were within its contractual rights but not in the best interest of the debt holders.
Merrill Lynch agreed to pay disgorgement of $56,286,000, prejudgment interest of $19,228,027, and a penalty of $56,286,000 and a censure. It also agreed to cease and desist from future violations of the Securities Act of 1933 and Securities Exchange Act of 1934, for whatever that is worth, since it has signed numerous settlement agreements with the same provision in the past and not stopped violating those securities laws.
Have you suffered losses in either Octans I CDO Ltd. or Norma CDO I Ltd sold by Merrill Lynch? If so, call Robert Pearce at the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. for a free consultation. Mr. Pearce is accepting clients with valid claims against Merrill Lynch for misrepresentations and omissions relating to these limited partnership funds.
The most important of investors’ rights is the right to be informed! This Investors’ Rights blog post is by the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., located in Boca Raton, Florida. For over , Attorney Robert Pearce has tried, arbitrated, and mediated hundreds of disputes involving complex securities, commodities and investment law issues. The lawyers at our law firm are devoted to protecting investors’ rights throughout the United States and internationally! Please visit our website, www.secatty.com, post a comment, call (800) 732-2889, or email Mr. Pearce at pearce@rwpearce.com for answers to any of your questions about this blog post and/or any related matter.
Robert Wayne Pearce
Robert Wayne Pearce of The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. has been a trial attorney for more than 40 years and has helped recover over $125 million dollars for his clients. During that time, he developed a well-respected and highly accomplished legal career representing investors and brokers in disputes with one another and the government and industry regulators. To speak with Attorney Pearce, call (800) 732-2889 or Contact Us online for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION with Attorney Pearce about your case.
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