Paul T. Rampoldi and William S. Blythe III, were named Respondents in a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) complaint that alleges the two participated in an insider trading scheme to profit in advance of two major pharmaceutical company announcements. The insider trading case involved the securities Ardea Biosciences, Inc. (Ardea), a California-based biotechnology company.
The SEC alleged, in advance of several announcements between April 2009 and April 2012, Michael J. Fefferman, who was Ardea’s Senior Director of Information Technology, tipped his brother-in-law nonpublic information concerning an agreement between Ardea and another company to license a cancer drug and an acquisition of Ardea by AstraZeneca PLC (AstraZeneca). This information eventually came to Mr. Rampoldi, for which the SEC alleges, he used along with his friend Mr. Blythe to illicit profits by trading ahead of the pharmaceutical announcements. Hopefully, Mr. Rampoldi and Mr. Blythe have obtained skilled representation because they have a battle on their hands.
According to the SEC, Mr. Rampoldi and Mr. Blythe made approximately $90,000 in illicit profits by trading based on nonpublic information. The SEC further alleged that the men attempted to evade detection by hiding their trades in call option contracts. The SEC complaint charges Mr. Rampoldi and Mr. Blythe with violating Section 10(b) and Rule 10b-5 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Attorney Pearce began his career at the SEC as an enforcement attorney more than 40 years ago. His SEC and FINRA defense law practice clients have included public companies and their officers and directors, broker-dealers, investment advisors, and individuals being investigated in connection with their personal securities transactions. He has broad, extensive experience in matters arising from alleged 10b-5 fraud violations including, “insider trading,” Section 16(b) “short swing profit,” and Section 14 “proxy rule” violations as well as Section 9 “market manipulation” cases.
Have you have been contacted by the SEC or FINRA and believe that you may be subject of an investigation? If so, call Mr. Pearce at the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. for a free consultation. Mr. Pearce defends various entities and individuals who may be the subject of an SEC and FINRA investigation or enforcement action regarding their alleged involvement in securities laws violations.
This Investors’ Rights blog post is by the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., located in Boca Raton, Florida. For over 40 years, Attorney 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 representing investors and financial industry professionals 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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