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This is a SIE Podcast Interview with Whistleblower Attorney Mark Pugsley
This is an interview with Whistleblower Attorney Mark Pugsley while this is not information that is required for the Series 7 Exam I think you will be a more knowledgeable advisor if you are aware of the information contained in this interview.
Mark Pugsley is quite famous for his part in bringing down Milton Trevor of Nikola corporation. He was featured prominently in the podcast BAD BETS
This is information about Mark Pugsley from his website
“Mark Pugsley has been handling securities disputes, financial fraud and whistleblower cases for 28 years. His whistleblower practice includes preparing and filing whistleblower tips with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), he also handles False Claims Act or “Qui Tam” lawsuits, FINRA arbitrations and other types of investment disputes.
Mark is based in our Utah office, the state which boasts the largest number of Ponzi schemes per capita in the country. He has been recognized by Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Benchmark Plaintiffs, and Martindale Hubbell as one of the top securities lawyers in the country. He is licensed to practice law in Utah and California.
Mark represents whistleblowers in a number of high-profile ongoing cases, including the whistleblowers in the Washakie Renewable Energy scam in which executives pleaded guilty to criminal charges in a $1 billion biodiesel tax fraud scheme. He also represents the whistleblowers in the Nikola Motors case who uncovered widespread fraud by the CEO, Trevor Milton. The whistleblower report to the SEC in the Nikola case led to a $125 million settlement by the company with the SEC, and Mr. Milton was charged civilly and criminally with securities fraud, among other charges. Another of his whistleblower clients uncovered an ongoing $200 million Ponzi scheme that led to civil and criminal actions by the DOJ, SEC and State regulators. These cases are ongoing.
Significant recoveries for his whistleblower, investment fraud and FINRA Arbitration clients include the following:
- Representation of two whistleblowers in an SEC whistleblower case that was approved for an award in April of 2021. His clients were awarded 30% of the $9,384,253 in ordered fines and penalties – the maximum award possible.
- Represented the Declarant in a whistleblower case filed against Vivint Smart Home Inc.. On January 6, 2021 the Justice Department announced that Vivint had agreed to pay the United States $3.2 million to resolve the case. His client will receive a significant reward.
- Represented a client in an $11 million CFTC whistleblower case that was approved for an award in January of 2020. His client will receive a significant portion of all restitution and civil penalties collected by the CFTC.
- Representation of three clients in a 5-day trial in Utah State Court where his clients were awarded compensatory damages in excess of $3 million, $2 million in punitive damages, and attorney’s fees.
- Represented a bankruptcy trustee and trustee of a private actions trust pursuing the claims of over 400 victims of a Ponzi scheme against a national life insurance company for securities fraud and the negligent employment of the agents who perpetrated the scheme for over a decade. The parties reached an 8-figure settlement in 2018.
- Represented 15 clients in a FINRA arbitration case alleging more than $6 million in out of pocket damages involving a rogue broker from a national brokerage firm. The firm settled the case shortly before the arbitration hearing in August of 2018 for a confidential amount.
- Represented 28 clients in a case alleging more than $10 million in out of pocket damages involving a broker who was employed by a national brokerage firm. The case was settled for a confidential sum that resulted in substantial recovery of his clients’ losses.
In addition to his whistleblower practice, Mark has been litigating securities disputes for his entire legal career. He has also handled many FINRA arbitration cases and frequently goes to court to pursue claims for victims of fraud.
Prior to founding the law firm of Pugsley & Wood, Mark was a shareholder at the law firm of Ray Quinney & Nebeker in Salt Lake City, where he worked for 23 years. Mark is a recognized expert in the area of securities fraud and has written and spoken extensively on whistleblower law, Ponzi schemes and affinity fraud for many years…..”
Series 7 Top-Off Exam Quiz Lesson 6 Securities Act of 1933
The Series 7 Top-Off Study Guide Audio Lessons for the New Series 7 Exam is the most comprehensive set of audio lessons which is available for the preparation to take the New Series 7 Top off Examination the course consists of 74 lessons which amounts to 32 hours and 27 min. in total length. Audio lessons are a supplement and not a substitute for the book learning that you should also be doing. Audio lessons simply allow you to learn comprehend and reinforce what you should also be learning through normal studying methods such as attending classes, reading books, and taking practice quizzes.
The full table of contents for the Series 7 Top-Off Study Guide is located here
The New Series 7 Top- Off Study Guide Audio Lessons is 74 lessons and a Total Length 32 hours 27 Min
The full table of contents for the Securities Industry Essentials Exam Podcast Audio Lessons for the SIE Exam is located here
Effective October 1, 2018 Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) changed the licensing of those that wish to work in the financial services industry. There is now a required prerequisite for most of the Licensing tests and this is the Securities Industry Essentials Exam
Securities Industry Essentials Exam is a new FINRA exam for prospective securities industry professionals. This introductory-level exam assesses a candidate’s knowledge of basic securities industry information including concepts fundamental to working in the industry, such as types of products and their risks; the structure of the securities industry markets, regulatory agencies and their functions; and prohibited practices.
Unlike the licensing exams such as the Series 4, 6, 7, 9, 10… which require the candidate to be employed by a member firm, Securities Industry Essentials Exam is open to anyone over the age of 18 including students and prospective candidates interested in demonstrating basic industry knowledge to potential employers.
Association with a firm is not required, and individuals are permitted to take the exam before or after associating with a firm.
Essentials exam results are valid for four years.
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