Peter H. Bresnan Named Deputy Chief Litigation Counsel of SEC�s Division of Enforcement
Peter H. Bresnan, as SEC Deputy Chief Litigation Counsel, spearheaded landmark cases including the first fraud action against offshore hedge fund Manhattan Investment Fund Ltd. and its manager Michael Berger, alleging $393 million in investor losses, and the first internet-based insider trading case with 19 defendants and over $8 million in illegal profits, though no convictions are detailed.
Peter H. Bresnan, appointed SEC Deputy Chief Litigation Counsel in November 2001, led groundbreaking enforcement actions including the Commission’s first litigated yield-burning case and its first fraud case against an offshore hedge fund, Manhattan Investment Fund Ltd. and its manager Michael Berger, involving alleged investor losses of $393 million. He was also prosecuting the SEC’s first insider trading case alleging the transmission of inside information over the internet, involving nineteen defendants and over $8 million in illegal trading profits. Bresnan, who joined the SEC in 1995 and previously worked at Davis Polk & Wardwell, was recognized for his exceptional litigation skills and deep knowledge of federal securities laws.
Peter H. Bresnan was named Deputy Chief Litigation Counsel of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement on November 5, 2001, succeeding Stephen J. Crimmins and bringing with him a distinguished record as a litigator since joining the Commission in April 1995. He spearheaded the SEC’s first litigated yield-burning case, establishing a precedent in municipal bond fraud enforcement. Bresnan also led the Commission’s first fraud case against an offshore hedge fund—Manhattan Investment Fund Ltd. and its manager Michael Berger—alleging $393 million in investor losses. Additionally, he was actively prosecuting the SEC’s first insider trading case involving internet-based tip-sharing, which implicated nineteen defendants and alleged over $8 million in illegal trading profits. Prior to his SEC career, Bresnan was a litigator at Davis Polk & Wardwell from 1982 to 1995, and he holds degrees from Kenyon College and Fordham University Law School. SEC leadership, including Director Stephen M. Cutler and Chief Litigation Counsel David L. Kornblau, praised his brilliant trial skills, impeccable judgment, and profound expertise in federal securities law. While the release highlights these landmark cases, it does not specify any convictions or final outcomes of the proceedings.
Extracted insights
- $393.00M $393 million $100M–$1B
- $8.00M $8 million $1M–$10M
- scheme_term commission's first insider trading case
- company manhattan investment fund ltd.
- person peter h. breasnan
- person peter h. bresnan
- agency sec's director of enforcement
- agency Securities and Exchange Commission
- person stephen j. crimmins
- person stephen m. cutler
- Securities and Exchange Commission named Peter H. Bresnan
- Peter H. Bresnan will assist Division's Nationwide Litigation Program
- Peter H. Bresnan succeeds Stephen J. Crimmins
- Stephen J. Crimmins left SEC
- Stephen M. Cutler is SEC's Director of Enforcement
- Peter H. Bresnan has prosecuted Ground-Breaking Cases
- Peter H. Bresnan spearheaded Commission's First Fraud Case
- Peter H. Bresnan targeted Manhattan Investment Fund Ltd.
- Peter H. Breasnan is litigating Commission's First Insider Trading Case
- Peter H. Bresnan was Litigator at Davis Polk & Wardwell
- Peter H. Bresnan earned Undergraduate Degree from Kenyon College
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2001-128 Peter H. Bresnan Named Deputy Chief Litigation Counsel of SEC�s Division of Enforcement Washington, DC, November 5, 2001�The Securities and Exchange Commission today named Peter H. Bresnan Deputy Chief Litigation Counsel of the Commission�s Division of Enforcement. As Deputy Chief Litigation Counsel, Mr. Bresnan will assist in supervising the Division�s nationwide litigation program. Mr. Bresnan succeeds Stephen J. Crimmins, who left the Commission in July. Stephen M. Cutler, the SEC's Director of Enforcement, said, "I am very pleased that Peter will be helping us lead our litigation efforts. Peter is a brilliant trial lawyer who has achieved superb results in a number of precedent- setting Commission cases. The Division and the Commission will benefit greatly from his impeccable judgment and deep knowledge of the federal securities laws." David L. Kornblau, the Division's Chief Litigation Counsel, said, "The Division is extremely fortunate to have Peter as Deputy Chief Litigation Counsel. Through his superb work here and his extraordinary personal qualities, he has already earned the respect and confidence of Enforcement litigators and investigative staff throughout the Division. I look forward to having his sage counsel in overseeing our litigation program." Mr. Bresnan, who joined the Commission in April 1995 as an Assistant Chief Litigation Counsel, has prosecuted a number of ground-breaking cases for the Commission, including its first litigated yield-burning case. He also spearheaded the Commission's first fraud case against an offshore hedge fund, Manhattan Investment Fund Ltd., and its manager Michael Berger, involving an alleged $393 million in investor losses. Mr. Bresnan is currently litigating the Commission's first insider trading case alleging the passing of inside information over the internet, which involves nineteen defendants and alleged illegal trading profits of over $8 million. From 1982 until he joined the Commission, Mr. Bresnan was a litigator at the law firm of Davis Polk & Wardwell in New York. Mr. Bresnan, 46, earned his undergraduate degree in history from Kenyon College and his law degree from Fordham University Law School. # # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2001-128 Peter H. Bresnan Named Deputy Chief Litigation Counsel of SEC�s Division of Enforcement Washington, DC, November 5, 2001�The Securities and Exchange Commission today named Peter H. Bresnan Deputy Chief Litigation Counsel of the Commission�s Division of Enforcement. As Deputy Chief Litigation Counsel, Mr. Bresnan will assist in supervising the Division�s nationwide litigation program. Mr. Bresnan succeeds Stephen J. Crimmins, who left the Commission in July. Stephen M. Cutler, the SEC's Director of Enforcement, said, "I am very pleased that Peter will be helping us lead our litigation efforts. Peter is a brilliant trial lawyer who has achieved superb results in a number of precedent- setting Commission cases. The Division and the Commission will benefit greatly from his impeccable judgment and deep knowledge of the federal securities laws." David L. Kornblau, the Division's Chief Litigation Counsel, said, "The Division is extremely fortunate to have Peter as Deputy Chief Litigation Counsel. Through his superb work here and his extraordinary personal qualities, he has already earned the respect and confidence of Enforcement litigators and investigative staff throughout the Division. I look forward to having his sage counsel in overseeing our litigation program." Mr. Bresnan, who joined the Commission in April 1995 as an Assistant Chief Litigation Counsel, has prosecuted a number of ground-breaking cases for the Commission, including its first litigated yield-burning case. He also spearheaded the Commission's first fraud case against an offshore hedge fund, Manhattan Investment Fund Ltd., and its manager Michael Berger, involving an alleged $393 million in investor losses. Mr. Bresnan is currently litigating the Commission's first insider trading case alleging the passing of inside information over the internet, which involves nineteen defendants and alleged illegal trading profits of over $8 million. From 1982 until he joined the Commission, Mr. Bresnan was a litigator at the law firm of Davis Polk & Wardwell in New York. Mr. Bresnan, 46, earned his undergraduate degree in history from Kenyon College and his law degree from Fordham University Law School. # # #