In re Isaac Gordon
Isaac Gordon, a CPA, willfully violated Section 102(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act by issuing an unregistered audit report for Toffee Sensations, Inc.—an issuer—despite not being registered with the PCAOB after October 22, 2003, leading to a cease-and-desist order, censure, and ban from practicing before the SEC unless affiliated with a registered firm.
Isaac Gordon, a licensed CPA, issued an audit report for Toffee Sensations, Inc. for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, which was included in a Form SB-2/A filing with the SEC, even though he was not registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) as required by Section 102(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act after October 22, 2003. The company’s financials were minimal—$6,500 in revenue and $1,700 in total assets—and Gordon received no compensation for the audit. The SEC found his violation willful, accepted his settlement offer without admission of guilt, and imposed sanctions including censure, a cease-and-desist order, and a bar from practicing before the SEC unless affiliated with a PCAOB-registered firm.
Isaac Gordon, a certified public accountant licensed in Maryland since 1988, issued an audit report for Toffee Sensations, Inc. for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, and for the period ended April 30, 2004, despite not being registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), as mandated by Section 102(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act effective October 22, 2003. The audit report, dated May 13, 2004, was included in Toffee Sensations’ Form SB-2/A registration statement filed with the SEC on August 24, 2004, even though the company’s financials were negligible—$6,500 in revenue and $1,700 in total assets—and Gordon received no fees for his work. The SEC determined that Gordon willfully violated Section 102(a), finding that ignorance of the law did not excuse his failure to register, and that his participation in preparing an audit report for an issuer constituted a clear breach. Gordon consented to a settlement without admitting or denying the findings, except for jurisdiction and subject matter, which he admitted. As part of the resolution, the SEC imposed a cease-and-desist order, formally censured him, and barred him from appearing or practicing before the Commission unless associated with a PCAOB-registered firm and approved by the Commission. Additionally, Gordon undertook not to request, demand, or accept any compensation from Toffee Sensations in connection with the audit work. The case underscores the SEC’s strict enforcement of PCAOB registration requirements, even for small issuers and uncompensated audits.
Extracted insights
- $7K $6,500 <$10K
- $2K $1,700 <$10K
- person isaac gordon
- agency Securities and Exchange Commission
- company toffee sensations, inc.
- SEC instituted proceedings against Isaac Gordon, CPA
- Isaac Gordon is Certified Public Accountant licensed in Maryland
- Isaac Gordon licensed as CPA in Maryland since 1988
- Isaac Gordon audited financial statements for Toffee Sensations, Inc. fiscal year ended September 30, 2003
- Isaac Gordon audited financial statements for Toffee Sensations, Inc. period ended April 30, 2004
- Toffee Sensations, Inc. is California corporation headquartered in Los Angeles, California
- Toffee Sensations, Inc. reported revenues of $6,500 for fiscal year ended September 30, 2003
- Toffee Sensations, Inc. reported total assets of $1,700 for fiscal year ended September 30, 2003
- SEC issued Release No. 56415 on September 13, 2007
- Isaac Gordon age 47
- Isaac Gordon resides in Los Angeles, California
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Before the
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Release No. 56415 / September 13, 2007
ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING ENFORCEMENT
Release No. 2695 / September 13, 2007
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING
File No. 3-12776
In the Matter of
Isaac Gordon, CPA,
Respondent.
ORDER INSTITUTING PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATIVE AND CEASE-AND-
DESIST PROCEEDINGS PURSUANT TO
SECTIONS 4C AND 21C OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
AND RULE 102(e) OF THE
COMMISSION’S RULES OF PRACTICE,
MAKING FINDINGS, AND IMPOSING
REMEDIAL SANCTIONS AND A CEASE-
AND-DESIST ORDER
I.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) deems it appropriate that public
administrative and cease-and-desist proceedings be, and hereby are, instituted against Isaac
Gordon, CPA (“Respondent” or “Gordon”) pursuant to Sections 4C
1
and 21C of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) and Rule 102(e)(1)(iii) of the Commission’s Rules of
Practice.
2
1
Section 4C provides, in relevant part, that:
The Commission may censure any person, or deny, temporarily or permanently,
to any person the privilege of appearing or practicing before the Commission in
any way, if that person is found . . . to have willfully violated, or willfully aided
and abetted the violation of, any provision of the securities laws or the rules and
regulations thereunder.
2
Rule 102(e)(1)(iii) provides, in relevant part, that:
The Commission may censure a person or deny, temporarily or permanently, the
privilege of appearing or practicing before it in any way to any person who is
found . . . to have willfully violated, or willfully aided and abetted the violation of
II.
In anticipation of the institution of these proceedings, Respondent has submitted an Offer
of Settlement (“Offer”), which the Commission has determined to accept. Solely for the purpose
of these proceedings and any other proceedings brought by or on behalf of the Commission, or to
which the Commission is a party, and without admitting or denying the findings herein, except as
to the Commission’s jurisdiction over him and the subject matter of these proceedings, which are
admitted, Respondent consents to the entry of this Order Instituting Public Administrative and
Cease-and-Desist Proceedings Pursuant to Sections 4C and 21C of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 and Rule 102(e) of the Commission’s Rules of Practice, Making Findings, and Imposing
Remedial Sanctions and a Cease-and-Desist Order (“Order”), as set forth below.
III.
On the basis of this Order and Respondent’s Offer, the Commission finds
3
that:
A. RESPONDENT
Isaac Gordon, CPA, 47, of Los Angeles, California, is a certified public accountant licensed
in the state of Maryland and doing business as a sole proprietorship. Gordon audited Toffee
Sensations, Inc.’s financial statements for the company’s 2003 fiscal year ended September 30,
2003, as well as those for the period ended April 30, 2004. Gordon has been licensed as a CPA in
Maryland since 1988.
B. FACTS
1. Toffee Sensations, Inc. (“Toffee Sensations”) is a California corporation with its
headquarters in Los Angeles, California. The audit report in question was issued in connection
with a Form SB-2/A registration statement filed with the Commission by Toffee Sensations which
has not yet gone effective. For its fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, Toffee Sensations
reported revenues of approximately $6,500 and total assets of approximately $1,700.
2. Toffee Sensations has at all relevant times been an issuer as defined by the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Act”).
3. Gordon audited Toffee Sensations’ 2003 financial statements, as well as those for
the period ended April 30, 2004. As part of that audit, Gordon prepared and issued an audit report
dated May 13, 2004 (the “Toffee Sensations audit report”), which the company included in its
Form SB-2/A registration statement filed with the Commission on August 24, 2004. Gordon
received no fees for the audit work.
any provision of the Federal securities laws or the rules and regulations
thereunder.
The findings herein are made pursuant to Respondent’s Offer of Settlement and are not
binding on any other person or entity in this or any other proceeding.
2
3
4. At the time Gordon prepared and issued the Toffee Sensations audit report, he was
not registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “Board”), as required by
Section 102(a) of the Act.
C. VIOLATIONS
1. Section 102(a) of the Act provides that “it shall be unlawful for any person that is
not a registered public accounting firm to prepare or issue, or to participate in the preparation or
issuance of, any audit report with respect to any issuer.”
4
2. The provisions of Section 102(a) of the Act became effective on October 22, 2003.
5
3. Based on the conduct described above, Respondent willfully
6
violated Section
102(a) of the Act.
D. FINDINGS
Based on the foregoing, the Commission finds that Gordon willfully violated Section
102(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
E. UNDERTAKING
Respondent undertakes not to request, demand, or accept, directly or indirectly, any
compensation from Toffee Sensations in connection with the audit work associated with the Toffee
Sensations audit report. In determining whether to accept the Offer, the Commission has
considered this undertaking.
IV.
In view of the foregoing, the Commission deems it appropriate to impose the sanctions
agreed to in Respondent’s Offer.
4
A violation of the Act or any rule that the Board issues under the Act is treated for all
purposes in the same manner as a violation of the Exchange Act, including with respect to
penalties. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 15 U.S.C.A. § 7202(b)(1) (West 2002).
5
Section 102(a) became effective “[b]eginning 180 days after the date of the determination
of the Commission under Section 101(d)” of the Act that the Board was prepared to undertake its
statutory responsibilities. The Commission made the required determination on April 25, 2003.
See
Order Regarding Section 101(d) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Securities Act Release
No. 8223, Exchange Act Release No. 47746, 2003 WL 1956164 (Apr. 25, 2003).
6
“Willfully” as used in this Offer means intentionally committing the act that constitutes
the violation. There is no requirement that the actor also be aware that he is violating a rule or
statute. See
Wonsover v. SEC, 205 F.3d 408, 414 (D.C. Cir. 2000); Tager v. SEC, 344 F.2d 5, 8
(2d Cir. 1965).
3
Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED, effective immediately, that:
A. Gordon shall cease and desist from committing or causing any violations and any
future violations of Section 102(a) of the Act.
B. Gordon is censured.
C. Gordon may practice before the Commission as an independent accountant provided
that:
1. The public accounting firm with which he is associated is registered with
the Board in accordance with the Act, and such registration continues to be effective; and
2. He has submitted to the Commission staff (attention: Office of the Chief
Accountant) the Board’s letter notifying the public accounting firm with which he is associated that
its registration application has been approved.
By the Commission.
Nancy M. Morris
Secretary
4
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Before the
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Release No. 56415 / September 13, 2007
ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING ENFORCEMENT
Release No. 2695 / September 13, 2007
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING
File No. 3-12776
In the Matter of
Isaac Gordon, CPA,
Respondent.
ORDER INSTITUTING PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATIVE AND CEASE-AND
DESIST PROCEEDINGS PURSUANT TO
SECTIONS 4C AND 21C OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
AND RULE 102(e) OF THE
COMMISSION’S RULES OF PRACTICE,
MAKING FINDINGS, AND IMPOSING
REMEDIAL SANCTIONS AND A CEASE
AND-DESIST ORDER
I.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) deems it appropriate that public
administrative and cease-and-desist proceedings be, and hereby are, instituted against Isaac
Gordon, CPA (“Respondent” or “Gordon”) pursuant to Sections 4C1 and 21C of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) and Rule 102(e)(1)(iii) of the Commission’s Rules of
Practice.2
1 Section 4C provides, in relevant part, that:
The Commission may censure any person, or deny, temporarily or permanently,
to any person the privilege of appearing or practicing before the Commission in
any way, if that person is found . . . to have willfully violated, or willfully aided
and abetted the violation of, any provision of the securities laws or the rules and
regulations thereunder.
2 Rule 102(e)(1)(iii) provides, in relevant part, that:
The Commission may censure a person or deny, temporarily or permanently, the
privilege of appearing or practicing before it in any way to any person who is
found . . . to have willfully violated, or willfully aided and abetted the violation of
II.
In anticipation of the institution of these proceedings, Respondent has submitted an Offer
of Settlement (“Offer”), which the Commission has determined to accept. Solely for the purpose
of these proceedings and any other proceedings brought by or on behalf of the Commission, or to
which the Commission is a party, and without admitting or denying the findings herein, except as
to the Commission’s jurisdiction over him and the subject matter of these proceedings, which are
admitted, Respondent consents to the entry of this Order Instituting Public Administrative and
Cease-and-Desist Proceedings Pursuant to Sections 4C and 21C of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 and Rule 102(e) of the Commission’s Rules of Practice, Making Findings, and Imposing
Remedial Sanctions and a Cease-and-Desist Order (“Order”), as set forth below.
III.
On the basis of this Order and Respondent’s Offer, the Commission finds3 that:
A. RESPONDENT
Isaac Gordon, CPA, 47, of Los Angeles, California, is a certified public accountant licensed
in the state of Maryland and doing business as a sole proprietorship. Gordon audited Toffee
Sensations, Inc.’s financial statements for the company’s 2003 fiscal year ended September 30,
2003, as well as those for the period ended April 30, 2004. Gordon has been licensed as a CPA in
Maryland since 1988.
B. FACTS
1. Toffee Sensations, Inc. (“Toffee Sensations”) is a California corporation with its
headquarters in Los Angeles, California. The audit report in question was issued in connection
with a Form SB-2/A registration statement filed with the Commission by Toffee Sensations which
has not yet gone effective. For its fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, Toffee Sensations
reported revenues of approximately $6,500 and total assets of approximately $1,700.
2. Toffee Sensations has at all relevant times been an issuer as defined by the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Act”).
3. Gordon audited Toffee Sensations’ 2003 financial statements, as well as those for
the period ended April 30, 2004. As part of that audit, Gordon prepared and issued an audit report
dated May 13, 2004 (the “Toffee Sensations audit report”), which the company included in its
Form SB-2/A registration statement filed with the Commission on August 24, 2004. Gordon
received no fees for the audit work.
any provision of the Federal securities laws or the rules and regulations
thereunder.
The findings herein are made pursuant to Respondent’s Offer of Settlement and are not
binding on any other person or entity in this or any other proceeding.
2
3
4. At the time Gordon prepared and issued the Toffee Sensations audit report, he was
not registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “Board”), as required by
Section 102(a) of the Act.
C. VIOLATIONS
1. Section 102(a) of the Act provides that “it shall be unlawful for any person that is
not a registered public accounting firm to prepare or issue, or to participate in the preparation or
issuance of, any audit report with respect to any issuer.”4
2. The provisions of Section 102(a) of the Act became effective on October 22, 2003.5
3. Based on the conduct described above, Respondent willfully6 violated Section
102(a) of the Act.
D. FINDINGS
Based on the foregoing, the Commission finds that Gordon willfully violated Section
102(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
E. UNDERTAKING
Respondent undertakes not to request, demand, or accept, directly or indirectly, any
compensation from Toffee Sensations in connection with the audit work associated with the Toffee
Sensations audit report. In determining whether to accept the Offer, the Commission has
considered this undertaking.
IV.
In view of the foregoing, the Commission deems it appropriate to impose the sanctions
agreed to in Respondent’s Offer.
4 A violation of the Act or any rule that the Board issues under the Act is treated for all
purposes in the same manner as a violation of the Exchange Act, including with respect to
penalties. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 15 U.S.C.A. § 7202(b)(1) (West 2002).
5 Section 102(a) became effective “[b]eginning 180 days after the date of the determination
of the Commission under Section 101(d)” of the Act that the Board was prepared to undertake its
statutory responsibilities. The Commission made the required determination on April 25, 2003.
See Order Regarding Section 101(d) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Securities Act Release
No. 8223, Exchange Act Release No. 47746, 2003 WL 1956164 (Apr. 25, 2003).
6 “Willfully” as used in this Offer means intentionally committing the act that constitutes
the violation. There is no requirement that the actor also be aware that he is violating a rule or
statute. See Wonsover v. SEC, 205 F.3d 408, 414 (D.C. Cir. 2000); Tager v. SEC, 344 F.2d 5, 8
(2d Cir. 1965).
3
Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED, effective immediately, that:
A. Gordon shall cease and desist from committing or causing any violations and any
future violations of Section 102(a) of the Act.
B. Gordon is censured.
C. Gordon may practice before the Commission as an independent accountant provided
that:
1. The public accounting firm with which he is associated is registered with
the Board in accordance with the Act, and such registration continues to be effective; and
2. He has submitted to the Commission staff (attention: Office of the Chief
Accountant) the Board’s letter notifying the public accounting firm with which he is associated that
its registration application has been approved.
By the Commission.
Nancy M. Morris
Secretary
4