SEC Enters Cease and Desist Order Against Potamus Trading and Eric J. Pritchett

Posted on July 9th, 2020 at 3:51 PM

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law LLC:

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued a cease and desist order against Potamus Trading LLC and its former CEO, Eric J. Pritchett. According to the SEC, Potamus and Pritchett “portrayed the firm as filling its clients’ orders on a principal basis by trading from its own inventory of securities or risking its capital in the market.” However, the SEC said that the firm “filled the vast majority of its clients’ orders by engaging in net trading” and “rarely traded from inventory or risked its capital[.]” The SEC alleged that this conduct took place between September 2013 and March 2017. 

The SEC alleged that when Potamus received orders from clients, the firm frequently would obtain executions on its own account before attempting to fill the client’s order.  If Potamus could not obtain an execution for its own account, Potamus would cancel the client’s order.

According to the SEC, Potamus and Pritchett willfully violated sections 17(a)(2) and 17(a)(3) of the Securities Act.

The attorneys of Eccleston Law LLC represent investors and advisors nationwide in securities and employment matters. The securities lawyers at Eccleston Law also practice a variety of other areas of practice for financial investors and advisors including Securities FraudCompliance ProtectionBreach of Fiduciary DutyFINRA Matters, and much more. Our attorneys draw on a combined experience of nearly 65 years in delivering the highest quality legal services. If you are in need of legal services, contact us to schedule a one-on-one consultation today.

Related Attorneys: James J. Eccleston

Tags: james eccleston, eccleston law, sec, cease and desist, eric j pritchett, potamus trading llc

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 11, 2024
Macquarie Investment Management to Pay $79.8 Million for Overvalued CMOs and Unlawful Cross Trades

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust (MIMBT) with overvaluing collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) and executing unlawful cross-trades that favored certain clients. 

October 10, 2024
Merrill Lynch and Harvest Volatility Management Fined $9.3 Million for Exceeding Client Investment Limits

According to SEC.gov, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc., and Harvest Volatility Management LLC for exceeding clients’ designated investment limits, resulting in higher fees, increased market exposure, and financial losses. 

October 9, 2024
Charles Schwab Faces Lawsuit Over Failure to Prevent Elder Fraud in Computer Hack

A new lawsuit claims that Charles Schwab failed to protect an elderly client from a fraudulent scheme that drained her retirement savings.