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Immediate Steps to Take If You Are Accused of Insider Trading
If you have been accused of insider trading, you could be facing up to 20 years in prison, steep fines, and additional punishments by the Securities Exchange Commission. If the SEC suspects that you are guilty of insider trading, they will do everything they can to prove it. They will examine all of your records, your trades, emails, phone calls, and business dealings. How you respond to such accusations could make a difference in the outcome of your case.
What is Insider Trading?
Insider trading is typically viewed as someone within a company having nonpublic knowledge and using that knowledge to trade securities to avoid losses or make a substantial profit. This is not the only definition of insider trading. You can also be accused of insider trading if you get nonpublic information in the form of a tip from someone who has insider information. In order to be convicted of insider trading, it must be proven that you were not aware that the knowledge you used in your trades was inside knowledge.
What You Should Do
If you are being investigated by the SEC, it is best to cooperate as much as possible. If you hide records or information it could harm you in the long run. The first thing you should do when you discover you are under investigation is contact an attorney. An experienced white collar lawyer can help you work with the SEC while protecting your privacy and right to a defense. An attorney can also help you gather records and mount a defense in an attempt to win your case and prevent jail time or heavy fines.
If you have been accused of insider trading, contact us today for a consultation. We have extensive experience in handling white collar criminal cases, and are able to assist you in this ordeal. Contact us today for more information or to get started on your case.