SEC v. Zachari Alan Cargnino; Susann Ashley Cargnino; Julie Ann Youssef; Gary Youssef; Biogenic, Inc.; Diagnostic Link Ltd, LLC, et al., No. 5:21-cv-12236-MFL, Eastern District of Michigan (Apr. 29, 2025) — Judgment
raw: Complaint on September 23, 2021, against Defendants Zachari Alan Cargnino,
Complaint on September 23, 2021, against Defendants Zachari Alan Cargnino,, No. 5:21-cv-12236-MFL (Apr. 29, 2025)
The SEC obtained a final judgment against Zachari and Susann Cargnino, Julie and Gary Youssef, and several entities for a fraudulent scheme involving the sale of unregistered securities.
The defendants were found liable for violating the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Securities Act of 1933 through deceptive practices and the sale of unregistered securities. Zachari and Susann Cargnino were ordered to pay over $7.1 million in disgorgement and $1.57 million in interest, with Zachari also facing a $7.1 million civil penalty. The Youssefs and associated entities were also ordered to pay significant disgorgement, interest, and civil penalties.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) successfully obtained a final judgment against Zachari Alan Cargnino, Susann Ashley Cargnino, Julie Ann Youssef, Gary Youssef, and multiple entities including Biogenic, Inc. and Capital Care Management LLC. The defendants were found liable for orchestrating a fraudulent scheme involving the offer and sale of unregistered securities in violation of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Financial remedies include $7,104,521 in disgorgement and $1,574,657 in prejudgment interest for the Cargninos, with Zachari Cargnino assessed an additional $7,104,521 civil penalty. The Youssefs were ordered to pay $522,326 in disgorgement and $115,769 in interest, along with civil penalties of $460,928 each. All defendants are permanently enjoined from future violations of federal securities laws and from participating in unregistered transactions. The court's order also binds the defendants' officers, agents, and employees from further fraudulent activities.
Extracted insights
- $7.10M $7,104,521 $1M–$10M
- $1.57M $1,574,657 $1M–$10M
- $522K $522,326 $100K–$1M
- $461K $460,928 $100K–$1M
- $459K $458,860 $100K–$1M
- $230K $230,465 $100K–$1M
- $116K $115,769 $100K–$1M
- $102K $101,700 $100K–$1M
- person commission motion granted
- agency Securities and Exchange Commission
- company unregistered securities
- Securities And Exchange Commission filed Complaint
- Securities And Exchange Commission alleged Defendants engaged in a fraudulent scheme
- Defendants offered and sold unregistered securities
- Court entered judgment on Defendants liability
- Securities And Exchange Commission filed Motion for Entry of Final Judgment
- Court ordered Commission Motion granted
- Defendants are restrained and enjoined from violating Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
- Defendants are restrained and enjoined from violating Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
SOUTHERN DIVISION
Securities and Exchange Commission,
Plaintiff,
vs.
Biogenic, Inc., Diagnostic Link Ltd,
LLC, Vital Systems Ltd LLC, BioTek
Holdings LLC, Tek Wellness Inc.,
Capital Care Management LLC,
Susann Ashley Cargnino a/k/a Susann
Ashley Walker a/k/a Ashley Walker,
Zachari Alan Cargnino a/k/a Zach
Alan, Julie Ann Youssef a/k/a Julie
Ann a/k/a Julie Joseph, and Gary
Youssef a/k/a Gary Joseph,
Defendants.
Case No. 21-cv-12236
Hon. Matthew F. Leitman
FINAL JUDGMENT AGAINST ALL DEFENDANTS
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) filed a
Complaint on September 23, 2021, against Defendants Zachari Alan Cargnino,
Susann Ashley Cargnino, Julie Youssef, Gary Youssef, Biogenic, Inc., Diagnostic
Link Ltd, LLC, Vital Systems Ltd LLC, BioTek Holdings LLC, Tek Wellness Inc.,
and Capital Care Management LLC (“Defendants”). The SEC alleged that
Defendants engaged in a fraudulent scheme, in violation of Section 10(b) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) [15 U.S.C. 78j(b)] and Rule
2
10b-5 thereunder [17 C.F.R. 240.10b-5] and Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of
1933 (“Securities Act”) [15. U.S.C. 77q(a)], and that they offered and sold
unregistered securities in violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. §
77(a) and (c)]. The Court has previously entered judgment on Defendants’ liability
while reserving judgment on financial remedies. (ECF Nos. 7, 8, and 65).
Thereafter, the Commission filed a Motion for Entry of Final Judgment against all
Defendants pursuant to the Court’s Order of August 1, 2024. (ECF No. 66).
Having considered the Commission’s motion, its supporting material, and any
responses filed by Defendants, the Court orders as follows:
I.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that the
Commission’s Motion for entry of final judgment against all Defendants is
GRANTED.
II.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that Defendants
are permanently restrained and enjoined from violating, directly or indirectly,
Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) [15
U.S.C. § 78j(b)] and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder [17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5],
by using any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce, or of the mails, or of
3
any facility of any national securities exchange, in connection with the purchase or
sale of any security:
(a) to employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud;
(b) to make any untrue statement of a material fact or to omit to state a
material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
or
(c) to engage in any act, practice, or course of business which operates or
would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any person.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that, as
provided in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(d)(2), the foregoing paragraph also
binds the following who receive actual notice of this Final Judgment by personal
service or otherwise: (a) Defendants’ officers, agents, servants, employees, and
attorneys; and (b) other persons in active concert or participation with Defendants
or with anyone described in (a).
III.
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that
Defendants are permanently restrained and enjoined from violating Section 17(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) [15 U.S.C. § 77q(a)] in the offer or
4
sale of any security by the use of any means or instruments of transportation or
communication in interstate commerce or by use of the mails, directly or indirectly:
(a) to employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud;
(b) to obtain money or property by means of any untrue statement of a
material fact or any omission of a material fact necessary in order to
make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading; or
(c) to engage in any transaction, practice, or course of business which
operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon the purchaser.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that, as
provided in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(d)(2), the foregoing paragraph also
binds the following who receive actual notice of this Final Judgment by personal
service or otherwise: (a) Defendants’ officers, agents, servants, employees, and
attorneys; and (b) other persons in active concert or participation with Defendants
or with anyone described in (a).
IV.
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that
Defendants Zachari Alan Cargnino, Susann Ashley Cargnino, Julie Ann Youssef,
Gary Youssef, Biogenic, Inc., Diagnostic Link Ltd, LLC, Vital Systems Ltd LLC,
BioTek Holdings LLC, and Tek Wellness Inc., are permanently restrained and
5
enjoined from violating Section 5 of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. § 77e] by, directly
or indirectly, in the absence of any applicable exemption:
(a) Unless a registration statement is in effect as to a security, making use
of any means or instruments of transportation or communication in
interstate commerce or of the mails to sell such security through the use
or medium of any prospectus or otherwise;
(b) Unless a registration statement is in effect as to a security, carrying or
causing to be carried through the mails or in interstate commerce, by
any means or instruments of transportation, any such security for the
purpose of sale or for delivery after sale; or
(c) Making use of any means or instruments of transportation or
communication in interstate commerce or of the mails to offer to sell or
offer to buy through the use or medium of any prospectus or otherwise
any security, unless a registration statement has been filed with the
Commission as to such security, or while the registration statement is
the subject of a refusal order or stop order or (prior to the effective date
of the registration statement) any public proceeding or examination
under Section 8 of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. § 77h].
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that, as
provided in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(d)(2), the foregoing paragraph also
6
binds the following who receive actual notice of this Final Judgment by personal
service or otherwise: (a) Defendants Zachari Alan Cargnino, Susann Ashley
Cargnino, Julie Ann Youssef, Gary Youssef, Biogenic, Inc., Diagnostic Link Ltd,
LLC, Vital Systems Ltd LLC, BioTek Holdings LLC, and Tek Wellness Inc., and
their officers, agents, servants, employees, and attorneys; and (b) other persons in
active concert or participation with Zachari Alan Cargnino, Susann Ashley
Cargnino, Julie Ann Youssef, Gary Youssef, Biogenic, Inc., Diagnostic Link Ltd,
LLC, Vital Systems Ltd LLC, BioTek Holdings LLC, and Tek Wellness Inc., or with
anyone described in (a).
V.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that pursuant
to Section 21(d)(5) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78u(d)(5)], Defendants are
permanently restrained and enjoined from directly or indirectly, including, but not
limited to, through any entity owned or controlled by Defendants, participating in
the issuance, purchase, offer, or sale of any security in an unregistered transaction,
including but not limited to investment contracts or other securities related to
medical testing devices or medical equipment; provided, however, that such
injunction shall not prevent Zachari Alan Cargnino, Susann Ashley Cargnino, Julie
Ann Youssef, and Gary Youssef from purchasing or selling securities listed on a
national securities exchange for his or her own personal account.
7
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that, as
provided in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(d)(2), the foregoing paragraph also
binds the following who receive actual notice of this Final Judgment by personal
service or otherwise: (a) Defendants’ officers, agents, servants, employees, and
attorneys; and (b) other persons in active concert or participation with Defendants
or with anyone described in (a).
VI.
Disgorgement, Prejudgment Interest, and Civil Penalties to be Paid
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED
that:
Zachari Cargnino, Susann Cargnino (together, the “Cargninos”), Biogenic,
Inc., Diagnostic Link Ltd, LLC, Vital Systems Ltd LLC, BioTek Holdings LLC, and
Tek Wellness Inc. are jointly and severally liable for disgorgement of $7,104,521,
representing net profits gained as a result of the conduct alleged in the Complaint,
together with prejudgment interest thereon in the amount of $1,574,657, and Zachari
Cargnino is liable for a civil penalty in the amount of $7,104,521, and Susann
Cargnino is liable for a civil penalty of $230,465, pursuant to Section 21(d)(3), (5),
and (7) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78u(d)(3), (5), and (7)] and Section 20(d)
of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. § 77t(d)].
8
Julie Ann Youssef and Gary Youssef (the “Youssefs”) are jointly and
severally liable with each other and with all other Defendants except Capital Care
Management LLC (“Capital Care”) for disgorgement of $522,326, representing net
profits gained as a result of the conduct alleged in the Complaint, together with
prejudgment interest thereon in the amount of $115,769, and are each liable for civil
penalties in the amount of $460,928, pursuant to Section 21(d)(3), (5), and (7) of the
Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78u(d)(3), (5), and (7)] and Section 20(d) of the
Securities Act [15 U.S.C. § 77t(d)].
Capital Care is jointly and severally liable with all other Defendants except
the Youssefs for disgorgement of $458,860, representing net profits gained as a
result of the conduct alleged in the Complaint, together with prejudgment interest
thereon in the amount of $101,700, pursuant to Section 21(d)(3), (5), and (7) of the
Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78u(d)(3), (5), and (7)].
Defendants shall satisfy these obligations by paying the above detailed
amounts to the Securities and Exchange Commission within 30 days after entry of
this Final Judgment.
Defendants may transmit payment electronically to the Commission, which
will provide detailed ACH transfer/Fedwire instructions upon request. Payment may
also be made directly from a bank account via Pay.gov through the SEC website at
http://www.sec.gov/about/offices/ofm.htm. Defendants may also pay by certified
9
check, bank cashier’s check, or United States postal money order payable to the
Securities and Exchange Commission, which shall be delivered or mailed to
Enterprise Services Center
Accounts Receivable Branch
6500 South MacArthur Boulevard
Oklahoma City, OK 73169
and shall be accompanied by a letter identifying the case title, civil action number,
and name of this Court; the specific Defendant’s name as a defendant in this action;
and specifying that payment is made pursuant to this Final Judgment.
Defendants shall simultaneously transmit photocopies of evidence of payment
and case identifying information to the Commission’s counsel in this action. By
making this payment, Defendants relinquish all legal and equitable right, title, and
interest in such funds and no part of the funds shall be returned to Defendants.
The Commission may enforce the Court’s judgment for disgorgement,
prejudgment interest, and penalties by the use of all collection procedures authorized
by law, including the Federal Debt Collection Procedures Act, 28 U.S.C. § 3001 et
seq., and moving for civil contempt for the violation of any Court orders issued in
this action. Defendants shall pay post judgment interest on any amounts due after
30 days of the entry of this Final Judgment pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1961. The
Commission shall hold the funds, together with any interest and income earned
thereon (collectively, the “Fund”), pending further order of the Court.
10
The Commission may propose a plan to distribute the Fund subject to the
Court’s approval. Such a plan may provide that the Fund shall be distributed
pursuant to the Fair Fund provisions of Section 308(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002. The Court shall retain jurisdiction over the administration of any distribution
of the Fund and the Fund may only be disbursed pursuant to an Order of the Court.
Regardless of whether any such Fair Fund distribution is made, amounts
ordered to be paid as civil penalties pursuant to this Final Judgment shall be treated
as penalties paid to the government for all purposes, including all tax purposes. To
preserve the deterrent effect of the civil penalty, Defendants shall not, after offset or
reduction of any award of compensatory damages in any Related Investor Action
based on Defendants’ payment of disgorgement in this action, argue that they are
entitled to, nor shall they further benefit by, offset or reduction of such compensatory
damages award by the amount of any part of the Cargninos’ or the Youssefs’
payment of a civil penalty in this action (“Penalty Offset”). If the court in any
Related Investor Action grants such a Penalty Offset, the Defendant(s) shall, within
30 days after entry of a final order granting the Penalty Offset, notify the
Commission’s counsel in this action and pay the amount of the Penalty Offset to the
United States Treasury or to a Fair Fund, as the Commission directs. Such a payment
shall not be deemed an additional civil penalty and shall not be deemed to change
the amount of the civil penalty imposed in this Final Judgment. For purposes of this
11
paragraph, a “Related Investor Action” means a private damages action brought
against Defendants by or on behalf of one or more investors based on substantially
the same facts as alleged in the Complaint in this action.
VII.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that this Court
shall retain jurisdiction of this matter for the purposes of enforcing the terms of this
Final Judgment.
VIII.
There being no just reason for delay, pursuant to Rule 54(b) of the Federal
Rules of Civil Procedure, the Clerk is ordered to enter this Final Judgment forthwith
and without further notice.
s/Matthew F. Leitman
MATTHEW F. LEITMAN
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Dated: February 20, 2025
I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing document was served upon the parties
and/or counsel of record on February 20, 2025, by electronic means and/or ordinary
mail.
s/Holly A. Ryan
Case Manager
(313) 234-5126UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
SOUTHERN DIVISION
Securities and Exchange Commission,
Plaintiff,
vs.
Biogenic, Inc., Diagnostic Link Ltd,
LLC, Vital Systems Ltd LLC, BioTek
Holdings LLC, Tek Wellness Inc.,
Capital Care Management LLC,
Susann Ashley Cargnino a/k/a Susann
Ashley Walker a/k/a Ashley Walker,
Zachari Alan Cargnino a/k/a Zach
Alan, Julie Ann Youssef a/k/a Julie
Ann a/k/a Julie Joseph, and Gary
Youssef a/k/a Gary Joseph,
Defendants.
Case No. 21-cv-12236
Hon. Matthew F. Leitman
FINAL JUDGMENT AGAINST ALL DEFENDANTS
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) filed a
Complaint on September 23, 2021, against Defendants Zachari Alan Cargnino,
Susann Ashley Cargnino, Julie Youssef, Gary Youssef, Biogenic, Inc., Diagnostic
Link Ltd, LLC, Vital Systems Ltd LLC, BioTek Holdings LLC, Tek Wellness Inc.,
and Capital Care Management LLC (“Defendants”). The SEC alleged that
Defendants engaged in a fraudulent scheme, in violation of Section 10(b) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) [15 U.S.C. 78j(b)] and Rule
Case 4:21-cv-12236-MFL-DRG ECF No. 71, PageID.2374 Filed 02/20/25 Page 1 of 11
2
10b-5 thereunder [17 C.F.R. 240.10b-5] and Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of
1933 (“Securities Act”) [15. U.S.C. 77q(a)], and that they offered and sold
unregistered securities in violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. §
77(a) and (c)]. The Court has previously entered judgment on Defendants’ liability
while reserving judgment on financial remedies. (ECF Nos. 7, 8, and 65).
Thereafter, the Commission filed a Motion for Entry of Final Judgment against all
Defendants pursuant to the Court’s Order of August 1, 2024. (ECF No. 66).
Having considered the Commission’s motion, its supporting material, and any
responses filed by Defendants, the Court orders as follows:
I.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that the
Commission’s Motion for entry of final judgment against all Defendants is
GRANTED.
II.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that Defendants
are permanently restrained and enjoined from violating, directly or indirectly,
Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) [15
U.S.C. § 78j(b)] and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder [17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5],
by using any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce, or of the mails, or of
Case 4:21-cv-12236-MFL-DRG ECF No. 71, PageID.2375 Filed 02/20/25 Page 2 of 11
3
any facility of any national securities exchange, in connection with the purchase or
sale of any security:
(a) to employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud;
(b) to make any untrue statement of a material fact or to omit to state a
material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
or
(c) to engage in any act, practice, or course of business which operates or
would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any person.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that, as
provided in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(d)(2), the foregoing paragraph also
binds the following who receive actual notice of this Final Judgment by personal
service or otherwise: (a) Defendants’ officers, agents, servants, employees, and
attorneys; and (b) other persons in active concert or participation with Defendants
or with anyone described in (a).
III.
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that
Defendants are permanently restrained and enjoined from violating Section 17(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) [15 U.S.C. § 77q(a)] in the offer or
Case 4:21-cv-12236-MFL-DRG ECF No. 71, PageID.2376 Filed 02/20/25 Page 3 of 11
4
sale of any security by the use of any means or instruments of transportation or
communication in interstate commerce or by use of the mails, directly or indirectly:
(a) to employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud;
(b) to obtain money or property by means of any untrue statement of a
material fact or any omission of a material fact necessary in order to
make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading; or
(c) to engage in any transaction, practice, or course of business which
operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon the purchaser.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that, as
provided in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(d)(2), the foregoing paragraph also
binds the following who receive actual notice of this Final Judgment by personal
service or otherwise: (a) Defendants’ officers, agents, servants, employees, and
attorneys; and (b) other persons in active concert or participation with Defendants
or with anyone described in (a).
IV.
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that
Defendants Zachari Alan Cargnino, Susann Ashley Cargnino, Julie Ann Youssef,
Gary Youssef, Biogenic, Inc., Diagnostic Link Ltd, LLC, Vital Systems Ltd LLC,
BioTek Holdings LLC, and Tek Wellness Inc., are permanently restrained and
Case 4:21-cv-12236-MFL-DRG ECF No. 71, PageID.2377 Filed 02/20/25 Page 4 of 11
5
enjoined from violating Section 5 of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. § 77e] by, directly
or indirectly, in the absence of any applicable exemption:
(a) Unless a registration statement is in effect as to a security, making use
of any means or instruments of transportation or communication in
interstate commerce or of the mails to sell such security through the use
or medium of any prospectus or otherwise;
(b) Unless a registration statement is in effect as to a security, carrying or
causing to be carried through the mails or in interstate commerce, by
any means or instruments of transportation, any such security for the
purpose of sale or for delivery after sale; or
(c) Making use of any means or instruments of transportation or
communication in interstate commerce or of the mails to offer to sell or
offer to buy through the use or medium of any prospectus or otherwise
any security, unless a registration statement has been filed with the
Commission as to such security, or while the registration statement is
the subject of a refusal order or stop order or (prior to the effective date
of the registration statement) any public proceeding or examination
under Section 8 of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. § 77h].
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that, as
provided in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(d)(2), the foregoing paragraph also
Case 4:21-cv-12236-MFL-DRG ECF No. 71, PageID.2378 Filed 02/20/25 Page 5 of 11
6
binds the following who receive actual notice of this Final Judgment by personal
service or otherwise: (a) Defendants Zachari Alan Cargnino, Susann Ashley
Cargnino, Julie Ann Youssef, Gary Youssef, Biogenic, Inc., Diagnostic Link Ltd,
LLC, Vital Systems Ltd LLC, BioTek Holdings LLC, and Tek Wellness Inc., and
their officers, agents, servants, employees, and attorneys; and (b) other persons in
active concert or participation with Zachari Alan Cargnino, Susann Ashley
Cargnino, Julie Ann Youssef, Gary Youssef, Biogenic, Inc., Diagnostic Link Ltd,
LLC, Vital Systems Ltd LLC, BioTek Holdings LLC, and Tek Wellness Inc., or with
anyone described in (a).
V.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that pursuant
to Section 21(d)(5) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78u(d)(5)], Defendants are
permanently restrained and enjoined from directly or indirectly, including, but not
limited to, through any entity owned or controlled by Defendants, participating in
the issuance, purchase, offer, or sale of any security in an unregistered transaction,
including but not limited to investment contracts or other securities related to
medical testing devices or medical equipment; provided, however, that such
injunction shall not prevent Zachari Alan Cargnino, Susann Ashley Cargnino, Julie
Ann Youssef, and Gary Youssef from purchasing or selling securities listed on a
national securities exchange for his or her own personal account.
Case 4:21-cv-12236-MFL-DRG ECF No. 71, PageID.2379 Filed 02/20/25 Page 6 of 11
7
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that, as
provided in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(d)(2), the foregoing paragraph also
binds the following who receive actual notice of this Final Judgment by personal
service or otherwise: (a) Defendants’ officers, agents, servants, employees, and
attorneys; and (b) other persons in active concert or participation with Defendants
or with anyone described in (a).
VI.
Disgorgement, Prejudgment Interest, and Civil Penalties to be Paid
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED
that:
Zachari Cargnino, Susann Cargnino (together, the “Cargninos”), Biogenic,
Inc., Diagnostic Link Ltd, LLC, Vital Systems Ltd LLC, BioTek Holdings LLC, and
Tek Wellness Inc. are jointly and severally liable for disgorgement of $7,104,521,
representing net profits gained as a result of the conduct alleged in the Complaint,
together with prejudgment interest thereon in the amount of $1,574,657, and Zachari
Cargnino is liable for a civil penalty in the amount of $7,104,521, and Susann
Cargnino is liable for a civil penalty of $230,465, pursuant to Section 21(d)(3), (5),
and (7) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78u(d)(3), (5), and (7)] and Section 20(d)
of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. § 77t(d)].
Case 4:21-cv-12236-MFL-DRG ECF No. 71, PageID.2380 Filed 02/20/25 Page 7 of 11
8
Julie Ann Youssef and Gary Youssef (the “Youssefs”) are jointly and
severally liable with each other and with all other Defendants except Capital Care
Management LLC (“Capital Care”) for disgorgement of $522,326, representing net
profits gained as a result of the conduct alleged in the Complaint, together with
prejudgment interest thereon in the amount of $115,769, and are each liable for civil
penalties in the amount of $460,928, pursuant to Section 21(d)(3), (5), and (7) of the
Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78u(d)(3), (5), and (7)] and Section 20(d) of the
Securities Act [15 U.S.C. § 77t(d)].
Capital Care is jointly and severally liable with all other Defendants except
the Youssefs for disgorgement of $458,860, representing net profits gained as a
result of the conduct alleged in the Complaint, together with prejudgment interest
thereon in the amount of $101,700, pursuant to Section 21(d)(3), (5), and (7) of the
Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78u(d)(3), (5), and (7)].
Defendants shall satisfy these obligations by paying the above detailed
amounts to the Securities and Exchange Commission within 30 days after entry of
this Final Judgment.
Defendants may transmit payment electronically to the Commission, which
will provide detailed ACH transfer/Fedwire instructions upon request. Payment may
also be made directly from a bank account via Pay.gov through the SEC website at
http://www.sec.gov/about/offices/ofm.htm. Defendants may also pay by certified
Case 4:21-cv-12236-MFL-DRG ECF No. 71, PageID.2381 Filed 02/20/25 Page 8 of 11
9
check, bank cashier’s check, or United States postal money order payable to the
Securities and Exchange Commission, which shall be delivered or mailed to
Enterprise Services Center
Accounts Receivable Branch
6500 South MacArthur Boulevard
Oklahoma City, OK 73169
and shall be accompanied by a letter identifying the case title, civil action number,
and name of this Court; the specific Defendant’s name as a defendant in this action;
and specifying that payment is made pursuant to this Final Judgment.
Defendants shall simultaneously transmit photocopies of evidence of payment
and case identifying information to the Commission’s counsel in this action. By
making this payment, Defendants relinquish all legal and equitable right, title, and
interest in such funds and no part of the funds shall be returned to Defendants.
The Commission may enforce the Court’s judgment for disgorgement,
prejudgment interest, and penalties by the use of all collection procedures authorized
by law, including the Federal Debt Collection Procedures Act, 28 U.S.C. § 3001 et
seq., and moving for civil contempt for the violation of any Court orders issued in
this action. Defendants shall pay post judgment interest on any amounts due after
30 days of the entry of this Final Judgment pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1961. The
Commission shall hold the funds, together with any interest and income earned
thereon (collectively, the “Fund”), pending further order of the Court.
Case 4:21-cv-12236-MFL-DRG ECF No. 71, PageID.2382 Filed 02/20/25 Page 9 of 11
10
The Commission may propose a plan to distribute the Fund subject to the
Court’s approval. Such a plan may provide that the Fund shall be distributed
pursuant to the Fair Fund provisions of Section 308(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002. The Court shall retain jurisdiction over the administration of any distribution
of the Fund and the Fund may only be disbursed pursuant to an Order of the Court.
Regardless of whether any such Fair Fund distribution is made, amounts
ordered to be paid as civil penalties pursuant to this Final Judgment shall be treated
as penalties paid to the government for all purposes, including all tax purposes. To
preserve the deterrent effect of the civil penalty, Defendants shall not, after offset or
reduction of any award of compensatory damages in any Related Investor Action
based on Defendants’ payment of disgorgement in this action, argue that they are
entitled to, nor shall they further benefit by, offset or reduction of such compensatory
damages award by the amount of any part of the Cargninos’ or the Youssefs’
payment of a civil penalty in this action (“Penalty Offset”). If the court in any
Related Investor Action grants such a Penalty Offset, the Defendant(s) shall, within
30 days after entry of a final order granting the Penalty Offset, notify the
Commission’s counsel in this action and pay the amount of the Penalty Offset to the
United States Treasury or to a Fair Fund, as the Commission directs. Such a payment
shall not be deemed an additional civil penalty and shall not be deemed to change
the amount of the civil penalty imposed in this Final Judgment. For purposes of this
Case 4:21-cv-12236-MFL-DRG ECF No. 71, PageID.2383 Filed 02/20/25 Page 10 of 11
11
paragraph, a “Related Investor Action” means a private damages action brought
against Defendants by or on behalf of one or more investors based on substantially
the same facts as alleged in the Complaint in this action.
VII.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that this Court
shall retain jurisdiction of this matter for the purposes of enforcing the terms of this
Final Judgment.
VIII.
There being no just reason for delay, pursuant to Rule 54(b) of the Federal
Rules of Civil Procedure, the Clerk is ordered to enter this Final Judgment forthwith
and without further notice.
s/Matthew F. Leitman
MATTHEW F. LEITMAN
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Dated: February 20, 2025
I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing document was served upon the parties
and/or counsel of record on February 20, 2025, by electronic means and/or ordinary
mail.
s/Holly A. Ryan
Case Manager
(313) 234-5126
Case 4:21-cv-12236-MFL-DRG ECF No. 71, PageID.2384 Filed 02/20/25 Page 11 of 11