Texas Criminal Attorney: Insider Trading Laws Changing?
Insider trading is the trading of a company’s stocks, bonds, or other securities by people who have gotten access to private data or information about the company. This practice is seen as a betrayal of a person’s fiduciary duty, and considered to be illegal by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)—the federal agency that regulates the U.S. stock market.
According to SEC guidelines, when an individual with information that can change a company’s stock price sells or buys based on that information, they are involving themselves in insider trading. In previous cases, the court ruled that traders could be found guilty if they are aware that the insider who betrayed information was doing so in violation of duty to the company.
New Decision May Change Everything
But in a recent landmark case against two former hedge fund traders—Todd Newman and Anthony Chiasson—the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals changed this. They overturned the convictions and dismissed the cases of the two traders, while narrowing the definition as to what constitutes insider trading.
Under the court’s decision, an individual must be aware not only that breached information was erroneously released, but that it was released in return for financial benefit.
What does this mean? The decision could result in the reversal of previous convictions, and could limit the kinds of cases that can be prosecuted in the future.
Texas Federal Criminal Attorney: Complicated Law Requires Specific Knowledge
Still, the laws around insider trading are infamously unclear, and it can be a challenge to try to sift through them on your own. The government implicates people in insider trading with insufficient evidence all too frequently.
If you or a member of your company is facing insider trading charges, contact an attorney with experience in representing these types of cases. A knowledgeable Texas federal criminal attorney can investigate your case and help make sure your rights are protected and that you have the best chance at a positive outcome.
Author Bio
James P. Whalen
James P. Whalen is the managing attorney and founder of Whalen Law Office, a Texas criminal defense firm offering personalized legal representation for various federal criminal charges. With a commitment to providing comfort and guidance during challenging times, Mr. Whalen serves as both an attorney and counselor to his clients, helping them navigate their cases while striving to restore normalcy to their lives.
In an inherently unbalanced criminal justice system, Mr. Whalen takes on cases with unwavering dedication. With decades of legal experience, he offers representation across various criminal charges, including white-collar crimes, violent crimes, drug charges, and more. Mr. Whalen’s numerous accolades, including Super Lawyer recognition and board certification in Criminal Appellate Law and Criminal Law, reflect his unwavering commitment to ethical and high-quality legal representation.