Tr?id=566623520170033&ev=PageView&noscript=1

SEC Obtains Emergency Relief To Halt Alleged Ponzi Scheme

Posted on June 3rd, 2022 at 8:40 AM
SEC Obtains Emergency Relief To Halt Alleged Ponzi Scheme

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law:

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has successfully obtained emergency relief, including asset freezes, against two investment advisory firms and their owners for allegedly selling pre-IPO shares that they did not own. 

The SEC has charged StraightPath Venture Partners, StraightPath Management, Brian Martinsen, Michael Castillero, Francine Lanaia, and Eric Lachow with allegedly collecting unauthorized fees and commingling investor funds. The defendants generated at least $410 million from nearly 2,200 investors through an unregistered advisory firm between November 2017 and February 2022, according to the SEC. The SEC additionally alleged that the defendants falsely informed investors that each investment would be kept separate and that there would be no upfront fees. 

However, the defendants proceeded to commingle investor funds and fraudulently collect at least $75 million, according to the SEC. The SEC also alleged that the defendants concealed from investors that Castillero and Lanaia were illegally operating the funds because they were each previously barred from the industry. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) barred Castillero in 2019 and Lanaia in 2018. The SEC’s complaint seeks permanent injunctive relief, disgorgement and civil penalties. 

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

 
 
 

Tags: eccleston law, sec, ponzi scheme

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

Thank You from the bottom of our hearts for all you have done for us. When we realized this was a very bad investment - we did not know where to turn for help. Then we received your name. When we called you - you were so kind to us and then agreed to help us. For this we are so very grateful. The world would be a much nicer place if there were more people like the two of you in it. We will always remember all the help and kindness you have shown us. Thank you so very very much for everything.

Wayne and Judy S.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1794418115 Law
November 11, 2026
Morgan Stanley Develops AI Super Agents to Build Portfolios and Manage Client Accounts

Morgan Stanley is developing AI-powered "super agents" that could eventually build investment portfolios, manage client accounts and handle many of the routine tasks that wealth management professionals perform today.

1794338007 Law
November 10, 2026
SEC Accuses Crypto Investment Scheme of Raising $130 Million Through Fake Approval Claims

The SEC has charged two entities with operating a cryptocurrency investment scheme that raised more than $130 million from tens of thousands of retail investors.

1794251609 Law
November 9, 2026
Court Restrains Former Citizens Advisor From Using His Memory to Recreate Customer Names in Transition to Ameriprise

A federal judge in Boston has temporarily barred former Citizens Securities advisor Darrell Smith from using client names he recalled from memory to contact former customers after moving to Ameriprise Financial.