On Monday, November 9, 2020, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission announced a proposed settlement with Zoom Video Communications, Inc. (“Zoom”), a video conferencing provider, regarding allegations that Zoom misrepresented its data security practices to users and designed its product to circumvent certain embedded security features of third-party software. The proposed settlement requires Zoom to undertake a range of specific remedial measures related to its data security practices. It also imposes multiple layers of reporting and certification requirements.
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Corporate Enforcement
SEC Brings Enforcement Action Against Global Brokerage Company, Finding False and Misleading Statements In Connection With Non-GAAP Financial Measures
On September 30, 2020, amidst a blizzard of cases filed at the end of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s fiscal year, the SEC announced a settlement with BGC Partners, Inc. (“BGC”) involving allegedly misleading disclosures concerning how it calculated a key non-GAAP financial measure (“NGFM”).[1] This settlement is the latest in a string of enforcement actions relating to what the SEC views as improper uses of NGFMs. In advance of year-end reporting, this action is a useful reminder to companies to carefully consider the SEC guidance and recent enforcement actions related to NGFMs. At least 95% of all Fortune 500 companies publish NGFMs, and the SEC has indicated that it will be reviewing NGFMs with particular scrutiny this year-end in light of the challenges of reporting on performance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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What to Expect From the Biden Administration
Over the weekend, former Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. was declared the winner of the U.S. presidential election. Although President Trump has yet to concede and press reports suggest he will continue to make his case in court, thoughts have turned to what the Biden administration will mean for federal regulation of business and finance.
In many ways, the future will depend on whether the centrist, coalition-building Biden of yesteryear will show up, or if he will embrace the more progressive wing of the Democratic party that has since grown in influence. Below we lay out our initial reactions on how the Biden presidency is likely to reshape the corporate landscape.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the authors listed below or your regular contacts at the firm.
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SEC Internal Controls Case Demonstrates Agency’s Focus On MNPI Issues In The Stock Buyback Context
By Matthew P. Salerno, James E. Langston, Jeffrey D. Karpf, Nick Grabar, Francesca L. Odell & Matthew C. Solomon on
Late last week – for the first time in 40 years – the SEC announced a settlement of an internal controls case against an issuer arising from its repurchase of its own shares. The SEC found that Andeavor bought back $250 million of stock without first engaging in an adequate process to ensure that the…
SEC Issues Enforcement Action Against Unikrn, Inc. for its ICO, Prompting Rare Public Dissent from Commissioner Hester Peirce
By Alexis Collins, Colin D. Lloyd, Matthew C. Solomon, Zachary Baum & Jim Wintering on
Posted in Corporate Enforcement, Enforcement, FinTech, ICOs, SEC Guidance, United States, Virtual Currency
On September 15, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a cease‑and‑desist order against Unikrn, Inc. concerning its 2017 initial coin offering of UnikoinGold . The SEC found that the Unikrn ICO violated the prohibition in Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933 against the unregistered public offer or sale of securities. The SEC imposed several remedies, including requiring Unikrn to permanently disable the UnikoinGold token and a civil money penalty of $6.1 million.
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Italy Reinforces Its Criminal Legal Framework to Target Crimes Affecting the Interests of the European Union
By Pietro Fioruzzi, Alessandra Anselmi, Giulia Checcacci & Francesco De Biasi on
On July 30, 2020, Italian Legislative Decree no. 75 went into effect, introducing amendments to the Italian Criminal Code and a new set of criminal offences in the context of corporate liability under Legislative Decree no. 231 of June 8, 2001, among which a number of tax crimes.
Please click here to read the full…
Supreme Court Upholds, with Limits, the SEC’s Authority to Seek Disgorgement
On June 22, 2020, the Supreme Court held in Liu v. SEC that the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) may seek, and courts have the power to grant, disgorgement as an equitable remedy for violations of the securities laws. However, the Court also placed potentially important limitations on disgorgement, holding that—to qualify as an equitable…
DOJ Updates Guidance Regarding Corporate Compliance Programs
By Jennifer Kennedy Park, Jonathan S. Kolodner, Lisa Vicens, Andres Felipe Saenz & Nick LaPalme on
On June 1, 2020, the Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (the “Department”) released revisions to its guidance regarding the Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs, which the Department uses in assessing the “adequacy and effectiveness” of a company’s compliance program in connection with any decision to charge or resolve a criminal investigation, including…
SEC Chief Accountant Weighs in on Accounting Issues During the COVID-19 Outbreak
By Robin M. Bergen, Sandra Flow, Nick Grabar, Abena Mainoo & Matthew C. Solomon on
On April 3, 2020, the SEC’s Chief Accountant, Sagar Teotia, issued a Statement on the Importance of High-Quality Financial Reporting in Light of the Significant Impacts of COVID-19 (the “OCA Statement”). The OCA Statement emphasizes that while the SEC Office of the Chief Accountant (“OCA”) appreciates the challenging environment that companies and their auditors face in attempting to comply with their financial reporting obligations due to COVID-19[1], and will not second-guess their reasonable judgments, OCA expects financial reporting to continue to “provide investors with high-quality financial information.” The OCA Statement also reaffirms OCA’s views on the importance of gatekeepers by pointing out the critical need for auditor independence in this uncertain economic environment. In addition to this general theme, the OCA Statement contains several notable points that will have implications for companies in the current situation, both in preparing their financial statements, and in taking steps to mitigate litigation and enforcement risk.
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Law Enforcement Priorities and Practicalities During the COVID-19 Pandemic
By Lev L. Dassin, Joon H. Kim, Jonathan S. Kolodner, Lisa Vicens, Abena Mainoo & Lucas Hakkenberg on
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rapidly unfold, with breathtaking effects on everyday life barely imaginable just weeks ago, enforcement agencies have responded with pronouncements prioritizing investigations into COVID-19-related frauds and have proceeded with some significant non-COVID-19 law enforcement actions likely planned before the full impact of the pandemic could have been predicted. At the same time, enforcement agencies are having to respond to the same practical challenges and constraints that the rest of society and other large organizations around the world face. They, like the rest of us, are facing severe travel restrictions, learning to work remotely, and dealing with colleagues and family members who are sick from the virus. Over the coming weeks and months, enforcement agencies will be managing the COVID-19-focused enforcement priorities and moving forward with their existing matters, while they deal with the practical realities and uncertainties presented by the pandemic.
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