SEC Charges Former SPAC CFO For Misappropriating Nearly $5 Million

Posted on January 16th, 2023 at 2:39 PM
SEC Charges Former SPAC CFO For Misappropriating Nearly $5 Million

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has changed the former CFO of African Gold Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), for misappropriating at least $5 million from the company and investors in two other SPACs that he had incorporated.

The former CFO, Cooper Morgenthau, embezzled funds from African Gold and another SPAC series called Strategic Metal Acquisition Corp. between June 2021 and July 2022 to cover personal expenses and trade in various crypto assets, according to the SEC. The SEC’s complaint accuses Morgenthau of concealing unauthorized withdrawals by falsifying African Gold’s bank account statements. Morgenthau allegedly provided the falsified documents to African Gold’s auditor and accountants, who were tasked with preparing the company’s SEC filings.

Furthermore, Morgenthau raised funds from Strategic Metals’ investors based on misrepresentations that the money would be utilized to fund the Strategic Metals SPAC series. However, Morgenthau misappropriated the money for personal uses, such as to conceal his misappropriation of African Gold’s funds, according to the SEC.

Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, regulatory and disciplinary matters.

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, advisors, law, sec

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

Hiring Eccleston Law has been one of the best career decisions I have made and this "investment" to maintain my sterling regulatory record has been returned many times over.  If you are in a situation where you've been unfairly accused, don't hesitate to talk with Eccleston Law. They are the best.

Thomas C.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

October 20, 2025
FINRA Accuses Former MML Broker of Cheating on SIE Exam

Regulators have accused a former MML Investors Services-affiliated broker of cheating on the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam, according to a recent Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) enforcement complaint.

October 17, 2025
FINRA Fines Oak Hills Securities for Private Placement Misconduct

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has censured and fined Oak Hills Securities Inc., an Oklahoma City brokerage, for multiple rule violations over five years.

October 16, 2025
FINRA Suspends Former Citigroup Advisor Over Undisclosed Business Activities

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has suspended former Citigroup representative Maximiliano Ramirez and fined him $5,000 for engaging in undisclosed outside business activities and investments.