SEC v. John G. Rizzo
raw: Securities and Exchange Commission vs John G Rizzo Complaint For Violations Of Federal Securities Laws
Securities and Exchange Commission vs John G Rizzo Complaint For Violations Of Federal Securities Laws, No. 3:13-cv-01801 (Aug. 5, 2013)
John G. Rizzo defrauded approximately $2.5 million from UK investors in 2009 by using offshore boiler rooms to sell unregistered shares of iTrackr Systems, concealing that up to 80% of investments went to undisclosed commissions and personal funds funneled through a Belize account, leading to SEC charges under Sections 17(a)(1), 17(a)(3), 10(b), and Rule 10b-5.
In 2009, John G. Rizzo orchestrated a securities fraud scheme by hiring offshore boiler rooms to solicit $2.5 million from UK investors in iTrackr Systems, Inc., a penny stock company he controlled. He concealed that up to 80% of each investment was paid as commissions to the boiler rooms, routing funds through U.S.-based escrow accounts to create a false appearance of legitimacy before transferring them to a Belize account he controlled for personal use and commission payments. The SEC charged Rizzo with violations of Sections 17(a)(1) and (a)(3) of the Securities Act and Section 10(b) and Rule 10b-5(a) and (c) of the Exchange Act, seeking injunctive relief, disgorgement, civil penalties, and a permanent bar from participating in penny stock offerings or serving as a public company officer.
In 2009, John G. Rizzo, CEO of iTrackr Systems, Inc., orchestrated a fraudulent scheme using offshore boiler rooms in Europe to solicit approximately $2.5 million from UK investors in iTrackr, a Florida-based penny stock company he controlled. He deliberately concealed that up to 80% of each investor’s funds were paid as undisclosed commissions to the boiler rooms, violating material disclosure requirements under federal securities laws. To evade U.S. registration obligations, Rizzo used his British Virgin Islands shell company to facilitate the sales and routed investor funds through U.S.-based escrow agents and bank accounts—including one in San Diego—to create a false impression of legitimacy. Once funds arrived in the U.S., he transferred them to a Belize bank account under the名义 of his BVI entity, which he used to pay commissions and siphon money into his personal accounts, while falsely naming his father-in-law as the beneficial owner to obscure his control. The SEC filed a civil complaint on August 2, 2013, in the Southern District of California, charging Rizzo with violations of Sections 17(a)(1) and (a)(3) of the Securities Act and Section 10(b) and Rule 10b-5(a) and (c) of the Exchange Act. The SEC seeks a permanent injunction, disgorgement of all ill-gotten gains with prejudgment interest, civil penalties, and a permanent bar prohibiting Rizzo from participating in penny stock offerings or serving as an officer or director of any public company. Rizzo’s use of offshore entities, U.S. intermediaries, and false ownership structures demonstrates a deliberate effort to evade regulatory oversight and deceive investors.
Extracted insights
- $2.50M $2.5 million $1M–$10M
- $77K $77251 $10K–$100K
- $3K $02817 <$10K
- $785 $785 <$10K
- person John G. Rizzo ×2
- organization ITrackr Systems, Inc.
- person John W. Berry
- person lorraine b. echavarria
- person marc j. blau
- person Michele Wein Layne
- person Sara D. Kalin
- organization Securities and Exchange Commission
- John G. Rizzo engaged in a fraudulent scheme that used offshore boiler rooms to solicit approximately $2.5 million in investments in iTrackr Systems, Inc.
- John G. Rizzo failed to disclose that up to 80% of each investment would be paid back to the boiler rooms as commission
- John G. Rizzo used offshore boiler rooms to solicit foreign investors to evade U.S. securities registration requirements
- John G. Rizzo used U.S.-based escrow agents and bank accounts to make investments appear more legitimate
- John G. Rizzo arranged for funds to be transferred to an account he controlled in Belize
- John G. Rizzo used the Belize account to pay boiler room operators and funnel money to his own accounts
- John G. Rizzo violated Sections 17(a)(1) and (a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act, and Rules 10b-5(a) and (c)
- John G. Rizzo founded iTrackr in 2006
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 MARC J. BLAU, Cal. Bar No. 198162 Email: [email protected] SARA D. KALIN, Cal. Bar No. 212156 Email: [email protected] Attorneys for Plaintiff Securities and Exchange Commission Michele Wein Layne, Regional Director Lorraine B. Echavarria, Associate Regional Director John W. Berry, Regional Trial Counsel 5670 Wilshire Boulevard, 11th Floor Los Angeles, California 90036 Telephone: (323) 965-3998 Facsimile: (323) 965-3908 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, Plaintiff, vs. JOHN G. RIZZO, Defendant. Case No. COMPLAINT FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS COMPLAINT Plaintiff Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) alleges as follows: SUMMARY 1. In 2009, Defendant John G. Rizzo engaged in a fraudulent scheme that used offshore boiler rooms to solicit approximately $2.5 million in investments in iTrackr Systems, Inc. (“iTrackr”), a Florida corporation. The boiler rooms failed to disclose that up to 80% of each investment would be paid back to the boiler rooms as commission, and a portion of the remaining amount would go to Rizzo, who controlled the scheme. 2. Rizzo purposely used offshore boiler rooms to solicit foreign investors in an attempt to evade the U.S. securities registration requirements. He also used '13CV1801BLMMMA 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 U.S.-based escrow agents and bank accounts to make the investments appear more legitimate to investors. 3. After an investor’s wire of funds arrived in one of the U.S. bank accounts, Rizzo arranged for the funds to be subsequently transferred to an account he controlled in Belize. Rizzo used the Belize account to pay the boiler room operators and funnel money to his own accounts, in an attempt to conceal his scheme. 4. As a result of the conduct described in this Complaint, Rizzo violated Sections 17(a)(1) and (a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”), 15 U.S.C. § 77q(a)(1) and (3); Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”), 15 U.S.C. § 78j(b); and Exchange Act Rules 10b-5(a) and (c), 17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5(a) and (c). Unless restrained and enjoined, Rizzo is reasonably likely to continue to violate the federal securities laws. JURISDICTION AND VENUE 5. This Court has jurisdiction over this action pursuant to Sections 20(b), 20(d) and 22(a) of the Securities Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 77t(b), 77t(d) and 77v(a), and Sections 21(d) and 27 of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 78u(d) and 78aa. 6. Venue is proper in this district pursuant to Section 22(a) of the Securities Act and Section 27 of the Exchange Act, because certain of the transactions, acts, practices, and courses of conduct constituting violations of the federal securities laws occurred within this district. For example, one of the escrow agents Rizzo used was an attorney in San Diego with an escrow account at a San Diego bank. 7. Rizzo, directly or indirectly, made use of the means or instrumentalities of interstate commerce, of the mails, or of the facilities of a national securities exchange, in connection with the transactions, acts, practices, and courses of business alleged in this Complaint. /// /// 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 THE DEFENDANT 8. John G. Rizzo (“Rizzo”), age 51, resides in Boca Raton, Florida. Rizzo founded iTrackr in 2006 and was its CEO at all relevant times. AFFILIATED ENTITY 9. iTrackr Systems, Inc. is a Florida corporation with its principal place of business in Boca Raton, Florida. The company developed software capable of tracking electronics inventory at local stores. iTrackr’s stock is quoted on the OTC Link under the symbol “IRYS.” Its common stock was registered with the SEC pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act until July 24, 2013, when its registration was revoked. At all relevant times, iTrackr qualified as a penny stock as defined by Rule 3a51-1 of the Exchange Act, and did not meet any exceptions to that rule. STATEMENT OF FACTS A. Background 10. In early 2006, Rizzo organized iTrackr and began raising money for the company. 11. In or about 2006, Rizzo also purchased a shell company in the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”). Rizzo’s BVI entity was unrelated to iTrackr and was used by Rizzo to evade U.S. income tax. 12. To conceal his ownership of the funds held by the BVI entity, Rizzo opened a bank account in Belize and a brokerage account in Canada, both in the name of the BVI entity, and named his father-in-law, a Bulgarian citizen, as the beneficial owner of the company and its accounts. B. The Boiler Room Scheme 13. In or about late 2008/early 2009, Rizzo hired “boiler rooms” in Europe to solicit investments in iTrackr from investors in the United Kingdom (“UK”). 14. Rizzo agreed to pay the boiler room operators a commission of up to 80% of the amount they raised from investors. At the time of this agreement, 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Rizzo knew that the amount of commissions would not be disclosed to investors, and knew that the commission amount was a material fact. 15. In order to avoid the U.S. securities registration requirements, Rizzo used his BVI entity to sell iTrackr shares to UK investors. In order to make the investment in iTrackr appear more legitimate, investors were instructed to send their money to U.S. escrow companies and bank accounts. 1. The Investment Paperwork 16. Rizzo directed his Florida-based administrative assistant to stay in contact with the boiler room operators and send investment paperwork to the UK investors who had expressed an interest in purchasing iTrackr shares. The paperwork included wiring instructions that directed investors to wire funds to various entities and individuals, including an escrow agent in San Diego, using a San Diego-based bank account. 17. The investment paperwork also included a Stock Purchase Agreement. The agreement required that the investor sign the document and return it to Rizzo’s administrative assistant. However, it also included a provision indicating that the seller could reject the terms of the agreement for any reason, including not receiving investor funds within 31 days. The agreement further stated that the escrow agent, who in some cases was a San Diego lawyer, would coordinate the release of stock certificates from the U.S.-based stock transfer agent on behalf of the seller. 2. The Cover-Up 18. Once the UK investors wired their funds to one of the U.S. bank accounts, Rizzo directed the transfer of funds to his bank account in Belize, from which he paid the boiler room commissions. 19. Rizzo instructed his administrative assistant to keep track of each investment, the bank accounts through which they were transferred, and the amounts owed to the various boiler rooms. 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 20. In 2009, the boiler rooms raised approximately $2.5 million from approximately 120 UK investors. The vast majority of the money was funneled through accounts in the United States and transferred to Rizzo’s bank account in Belize. After paying commissions to the boiler room operators, Rizzo used the remainder of the money to pay his own personal expenses and to pay the expenses of iTrackr. FIRST CLAIM FOR RELIEF Violations of Sections 17(a)(1) and 17(a)(3) of the Securities Act 21. The SEC realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs 1 through 20 above. 22. Rizzo knowingly or recklessly, directly or indirectly, in the offer and sale of securities, by the use of any means or instruments of transportation or communication in interstate commerce, or by the use of the mails: a. employed devices, schemes or artifices to defraud; and/or b. engaged in acts, practices, or courses of business which operated or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon the purchaser. 23. By engaging in the foregoing conduct, Rizzo violated, and unless restrained and enjoined will continue to violate, Section 17(a) of the Securities Act, 15 U.S.C. § 77q(a). SECOND CLAIM FOR RELIEF Violations of Section 10(b) and Rules 10b-5(a) and (c) of the Exchange Act 24. The SEC realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs 1 through 20 above. 25. Rizzo knowingly or recklessly, in connection with the purchase or sale of securities, directly or indirectly, by the use of any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce, or of the mails, or of any facility of a national securities exchange: 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 a. employed devices, schemes, or artifices to defraud; and/or b. engaged in acts, practices, or courses of business which operated or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any person. 26. By engaging in the foregoing conduct, Rizzo violated, and unless restrained and enjoined will continue to violate, Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78j(b), and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, 17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5. PRAYER FOR RELIEF WHEREFORE, the SEC respectfully requests that the Court: I. Issue findings of fact and conclusions of law that Rizzo committed the alleged violations. II. Issue a permanent injunction restraining and enjoining Rizzo and his officers, agents, servants, employees, attorneys, and all persons in active concert of participation with them, and each of them, from violating Sections 17(a)(1) and 17(a)(3) of the Securities Act, and Section 10(b) and Rule 10b-5(a) and (c) of the Exchange Act, as indicated above. III. Issue an Order directing Rizzo to disgorge all ill-gotten gains, including prejudgment interest, resulting from the acts or courses of conduct alleged in this Complaint. IV. Issue an Order directing Rizzo to pay civil money penalties pursuant to Section 20(d) of the Securities Act, 15 U.S.C. § 77t(d); and Section 21(d) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78(d)(3). V. Issue an order barring Rizzo from participating in any offering of penny stock, pursuant to Section 20(g) of the Securities Act, 15 U.S.C. § 77t(g), and 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Section 21(d) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78u(d), for the violations alleged in this Complaint. VI. Issue an Order pursuant to Section 20(e) of the Securities Act and Section 21(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 77t(e) and 15 U.S.C. § 78u(d)(2), barring Rizzo from acting as an officer or director of any issuer that has a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act or that is required to file reports pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. VII. Retain jurisdiction of this action in accordance with the principles of equity and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure in order to implement and carry out the terms of all orders and decrees that may be entered, or to entertain any suitable application or motion for additional relief within the jurisdiction of this Court. VIII. Grant such other and further relief as this Court may determine to be just and necessary. DATED: August 2, 2013 /s/ Sara D. Kalin SARA D. KALIN Attorney for Plaintiff Securities and Exchange Commission Email: [email protected] -65HY CIVIL COVER SHEET 7KH-6FLYLOFRYHUVKHHWDQGWKHLQIRUPDWLRQFRQWDLQHGKHUHLQQHLWKHUUHSODFHQRUVXSSOHPHQWWKHILOLQJDQGVHUYLFHRISOHDGLQJVRURWKHUSDSHUVDVUHTXLUHGE\ODZH[FHSWDV SURYLGHGE\ORFDOUXOHVRIFRXUW7KLVIRUPDSSURYHGE\WKH-XGLFLDO&RQIHUHQFHRIWKH8QLWHG6WDWHVLQ6HSWHPEHULVUHTXLUHGIRUWKHXVHRIWKH&OHUNRI&RXUWIRUWKH SXUSRVHRILQLWLDWLQJWKHFLYLOGRFNHWVKHHW (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON NEXT PAGE OF THIS FORM.) I. 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Goldsobel 1900 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1800, Los Angeles, CA 90067 15 U.S.C. §§ 77q(a)(1) & 77q(a)(3); 15 U.S.C. § 78j(b) and 17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5 thereunder. The Complaint alleges violations of the federal securities laws. August 2, 2013 /s/ Sara D. 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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 MARC J. BLAU, Cal. Bar No. 198162 Email: [email protected] SARA D. KALIN, Cal. Bar No. 212156 Email: [email protected] Attorneys for Plaintiff Securities and Exchange Commission Michele Wein Layne, Regional Director Lorraine B. Echavarria, Associate Regional Director John W. Berry, Regional Trial Counsel 5670 Wilshire Boulevard, 11th Floor Los Angeles, California 90036 Telephone: (323) 965-3998 Facsimile: (323) 965-3908 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, Plaintiff, vs. JOHN G. RIZZO, Defendant. Case No. COMPLAINT FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS COMPLAINT Plaintiff Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) alleges as follows: SUMMARY 1. In 2009, Defendant John G. Rizzo engaged in a fraudulent scheme that used offshore boiler rooms to solicit approximately $2.5 million in investments in iTrackr Systems, Inc. (“iTrackr”), a Florida corporation. The boiler rooms failed to disclose that up to 80% of each investment would be paid back to the boiler rooms as commission, and a portion of the remaining amount would go to Rizzo, who controlled the scheme. 2. Rizzo purposely used offshore boiler rooms to solicit foreign investors in an attempt to evade the U.S. securities registration requirements. He also used '13CV1801 BLMMMA Case 3:13-cv-01801-MMA-BLM Document 1 Filed 08/02/13 Page 1 of 9 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 U.S.-based escrow agents and bank accounts to make the investments appear more legitimate to investors. 3. After an investor’s wire of funds arrived in one of the U.S. bank accounts, Rizzo arranged for the funds to be subsequently transferred to an account he controlled in Belize. Rizzo used the Belize account to pay the boiler room operators and funnel money to his own accounts, in an attempt to conceal his scheme. 4. As a result of the conduct described in this Complaint, Rizzo violated Sections 17(a)(1) and (a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”), 15 U.S.C. § 77q(a)(1) and (3); Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”), 15 U.S.C. § 78j(b); and Exchange Act Rules 10b-5(a) and (c), 17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5(a) and (c). Unless restrained and enjoined, Rizzo is reasonably likely to continue to violate the federal securities laws. JURISDICTION AND VENUE 5. This Court has jurisdiction over this action pursuant to Sections 20(b), 20(d) and 22(a) of the Securities Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 77t(b), 77t(d) and 77v(a), and Sections 21(d) and 27 of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 78u(d) and 78aa. 6. Venue is proper in this district pursuant to Section 22(a) of the Securities Act and Section 27 of the Exchange Act, because certain of the transactions, acts, practices, and courses of conduct constituting violations of the federal securities laws occurred within this district. For example, one of the escrow agents Rizzo used was an attorney in San Diego with an escrow account at a San Diego bank. 7. Rizzo, directly or indirectly, made use of the means or instrumentalities of interstate commerce, of the mails, or of the facilities of a national securities exchange, in connection with the transactions, acts, practices, and courses of business alleged in this Complaint. /// /// Case 3:13-cv-01801-MMA-BLM Document 1 Filed 08/02/13 Page 2 of 9 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 THE DEFENDANT 8. John G. Rizzo (“Rizzo”), age 51, resides in Boca Raton, Florida. Rizzo founded iTrackr in 2006 and was its CEO at all relevant times. AFFILIATED ENTITY 9. iTrackr Systems, Inc. is a Florida corporation with its principal place of business in Boca Raton, Florida. The company developed software capable of tracking electronics inventory at local stores. iTrackr’s stock is quoted on the OTC Link under the symbol “IRYS.” Its common stock was registered with the SEC pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act until July 24, 2013, when its registration was revoked. At all relevant times, iTrackr qualified as a penny stock as defined by Rule 3a51-1 of the Exchange Act, and did not meet any exceptions to that rule. STATEMENT OF FACTS A. Background 10. In early 2006, Rizzo organized iTrackr and began raising money for the company. 11. In or about 2006, Rizzo also purchased a shell company in the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”). Rizzo’s BVI entity was unrelated to iTrackr and was used by Rizzo to evade U.S. income tax. 12. To conceal his ownership of the funds held by the BVI entity, Rizzo opened a bank account in Belize and a brokerage account in Canada, both in the name of the BVI entity, and named his father-in-law, a Bulgarian citizen, as the beneficial owner of the company and its accounts. B. The Boiler Room Scheme 13. In or about late 2008/early 2009, Rizzo hired “boiler rooms” in Europe to solicit investments in iTrackr from investors in the United Kingdom (“UK”). 14. Rizzo agreed to pay the boiler room operators a commission of up to 80% of the amount they raised from investors. At the time of this agreement, Case 3:13-cv-01801-MMA-BLM Document 1 Filed 08/02/13 Page 3 of 9 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Rizzo knew that the amount of commissions would not be disclosed to investors, and knew that the commission amount was a material fact. 15. In order to avoid the U.S. securities registration requirements, Rizzo used his BVI entity to sell iTrackr shares to UK investors. In order to make the investment in iTrackr appear more legitimate, investors were instructed to send their money to U.S. escrow companies and bank accounts. 1. The Investment Paperwork 16. Rizzo directed his Florida-based administrative assistant to stay in contact with the boiler room operators and send investment paperwork to the UK investors who had expressed an interest in purchasing iTrackr shares. The paperwork included wiring instructions that directed investors to wire funds to various entities and individuals, including an escrow agent in San Diego, using a San Diego-based bank account. 17. The investment paperwork also included a Stock Purchase Agreement. The agreement required that the investor sign the document and return it to Rizzo’s administrative assistant. However, it also included a provision indicating that the seller could reject the terms of the agreement for any reason, including not receiving investor funds within 31 days. The agreement further stated that the escrow agent, who in some cases was a San Diego lawyer, would coordinate the release of stock certificates from the U.S.-based stock transfer agent on behalf of the seller. 2. The Cover-Up 18. Once the UK investors wired their funds to one of the U.S. bank accounts, Rizzo directed the transfer of funds to his bank account in Belize, from which he paid the boiler room commissions. 19. Rizzo instructed his administrative assistant to keep track of each investment, the bank accounts through which they were transferred, and the amounts owed to the various boiler rooms. Case 3:13-cv-01801-MMA-BLM Document 1 Filed 08/02/13 Page 4 of 9 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 20. In 2009, the boiler rooms raised approximately $2.5 million from approximately 120 UK investors. The vast majority of the money was funneled through accounts in the United States and transferred to Rizzo’s bank account in Belize. After paying commissions to the boiler room operators, Rizzo used the remainder of the money to pay his own personal expenses and to pay the expenses of iTrackr. FIRST CLAIM FOR RELIEF Violations of Sections 17(a)(1) and 17(a)(3) of the Securities Act 21. The SEC realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs 1 through 20 above. 22. Rizzo knowingly or recklessly, directly or indirectly, in the offer and sale of securities, by the use of any means or instruments of transportation or communication in interstate commerce, or by the use of the mails: a. employed devices, schemes or artifices to defraud; and/or b. engaged in acts, practices, or courses of business which operated or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon the purchaser. 23. By engaging in the foregoing conduct, Rizzo violated, and unless restrained and enjoined will continue to violate, Section 17(a) of the Securities Act, 15 U.S.C. § 77q(a). SECOND CLAIM FOR RELIEF Violations of Section 10(b) and Rules 10b-5(a) and (c) of the Exchange Act 24. The SEC realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs 1 through 20 above. 25. Rizzo knowingly or recklessly, in connection with the purchase or sale of securities, directly or indirectly, by the use of any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce, or of the mails, or of any facility of a national securities exchange: Case 3:13-cv-01801-MMA-BLM Document 1 Filed 08/02/13 Page 5 of 9 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 a. employed devices, schemes, or artifices to defraud; and/or b. engaged in acts, practices, or courses of business which operated or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any person. 26. By engaging in the foregoing conduct, Rizzo violated, and unless restrained and enjoined will continue to violate, Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78j(b), and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, 17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5. PRAYER FOR RELIEF WHEREFORE, the SEC respectfully requests that the Court: I. Issue findings of fact and conclusions of law that Rizzo committed the alleged violations. II. Issue a permanent injunction restraining and enjoining Rizzo and his officers, agents, servants, employees, attorneys, and all persons in active concert of participation with them, and each of them, from violating Sections 17(a)(1) and 17(a)(3) of the Securities Act, and Section 10(b) and Rule 10b-5(a) and (c) of the Exchange Act, as indicated above. III. Issue an Order directing Rizzo to disgorge all ill-gotten gains, including prejudgment interest, resulting from the acts or courses of conduct alleged in this Complaint. IV. Issue an Order directing Rizzo to pay civil money penalties pursuant to Section 20(d) of the Securities Act, 15 U.S.C. § 77t(d); and Section 21(d) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78(d)(3). V. Issue an order barring Rizzo from participating in any offering of penny stock, pursuant to Section 20(g) of the Securities Act, 15 U.S.C. § 77t(g), and Case 3:13-cv-01801-MMA-BLM Document 1 Filed 08/02/13 Page 6 of 9 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Section 21(d) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78u(d), for the violations alleged in this Complaint. VI. Issue an Order pursuant to Section 20(e) of the Securities Act and Section 21(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 77t(e) and 15 U.S.C. § 78u(d)(2), barring Rizzo from acting as an officer or director of any issuer that has a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act or that is required to file reports pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. VII. Retain jurisdiction of this action in accordance with the principles of equity and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure in order to implement and carry out the terms of all orders and decrees that may be entered, or to entertain any suitable application or motion for additional relief within the jurisdiction of this Court. VIII. Grant such other and further relief as this Court may determine to be just and necessary. DATED: August 2, 2013 /s/ Sara D. Kalin SARA D. KALIN Attorney for Plaintiff Securities and Exchange Commission Email: [email protected] Case 3:13-cv-01801-MMA-BLM Document 1 Filed 08/02/13 Page 7 of 9 CIVIL COVER SHEET (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON NEXT PAGE OF THIS FORM.) I. (a) PLAINTIFFS DEFENDANTS (b) (EXCEPT IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES) (IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY) (c) (Firm Name, Address, and Telephone Number) (If Known) II. BASIS OF JURISDICTION (Place an “X” in One Box Only) III. CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES (Place an “X” in One Box for Plaintiff (For Diversity Cases Only) and One Box for Defendant) PTF DEF PTF DEF (U.S. Government Not a Party) or and (Indicate Citizenship of Parties in Item III) IV. NATURE OF SUIT (Place an “X” in One Box Only) CONTRACT TORTS FORFEITURE/PENALTY BANKRUPTCY OTHER STATUTES PERSONAL INJURY PERSONAL INJURY PROPERTY RIGHTS LABOR SOCIAL SECURITY PERSONAL PROPERTY REAL PROPERTY CIVIL RIGHTS PRISONER PETITIONS FEDERAL TAX SUITS Habeas Corpus: IMMIGRATION Other: V. ORIGIN (Place an “X” in One Box Only) (specify) VI. CAUSE OF ACTION (Do not cite jurisdictional statutes unless diversity) VII. REQUESTED IN COMPLAINT: CLASS ACTION DEMAND $ JURY DEMAND: VIII. RELATED CASE(S) IF ANY (See instructions): FOR OFFICE USE ONLY SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Sara D. Kalin (323) 965-3998 Securities and Exchange Commission 5670 Wilshire Blvd., 11th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90036 JOHN G. RIZZO Palm Beach County Steven M. Goldsobel (310) 552-4848 Law Offices of Steven M. Goldsobel 1900 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1800, Los Angeles, CA 90067 15 U.S.C. §§ 77q(a)(1) & 77q(a)(3); 15 U.S.C. § 78j(b) and 17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5 thereunder. The Complaint alleges violations of the federal securities laws. August 2, 2013 /s/ Sara D. Kalin '13CV1801 BLMMMA Case 3:13-cv-01801-MMA-BLM Document 1 Filed 08/02/13 Page 8 of 9 INSTRUCTIONS FOR ATTORNEYS COMPLETING CIVIL COVER SHEET FORM JS 44 I.(a) Plaintiffs-Defendants. (b) County of Residence. (c) Attorneys. II. Jurisdiction. . ; NOTE: federal question actions take precedence over diversity cases. III. Residence (citizenship) of Principal Parties. IV. Nature of Suit. V. Origin. VI. Cause of Action. Do not cite jurisdictional statutes unless diversity. VII. Requested in Complaint. VIII. Related Cases. Date and Attorney Signature. Case 3:13-cv-01801-MMA-BLM Document 1 Filed 08/02/13 Page 9 of 9