https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/technique/paid-stock-promotion/ The 30 most recent enforcement records tagged paid stock promotion in the Market Manipulation library, each linked to its primary source. Tags are our classification, not the charges. en-us Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-brian-keasberry-paid-stock-promotion-2026/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-brian-keasberry-paid-stock-promotion-2026/ In 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission obtained a judgment against Brian Keasberry, alleging conduct this library classifies as paid stock promotion. The release records a civil penalty of $37,500, disgorgement of $37,500, prejudgment interest of $12,864. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-medallion-financial-corp-andrew-murstein-lawrence-meyers-paid-stock-promotio/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-medallion-financial-corp-andrew-murstein-lawrence-meyers-paid-stock-promotio/ In 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission obtained a judgment against Medallion Financial Corp., Andrew Murstein, Lawrence Meyers and Ichabod's Cranium, Inc., alleging conduct this library classifies as paid stock promotion. The release records a civil penalty of $4,100,000. Fri, 06 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-john-s-clayton-insider-trading-2024/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-john-s-clayton-insider-trading-2024/ In 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission brought an action against John S. Clayton and 8 others, alleging conduct this library classifies as insider trading and paid stock promotion. No monetary relief has been recorded at this stage; the matter is an allegation and remains unproven. Wed, 11 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT SEC insider-trading paid-stock-promotion https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-ian-balina-paid-stock-promotion-2024/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-ian-balina-paid-stock-promotion-2024/ In September 2022 the SEC sued crypto influencer Ian Balina over his sale of SPRK tokens and a promotion for which he was allegedly paid, and in May 2024 the court granted the SEC partial summary judgment on the registration claim. On May 1, 2025 the SEC and Balina filed a stipulation dismissing the case with prejudice, and the SEC said the dismissal was not based on the merits. Thu, 23 May 2024 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-ahmed-alomari-paid-stock-promotion-2024/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-ahmed-alomari-paid-stock-promotion-2024/ In 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission brought an action against Ahmed Alomari and MCM Consulting, alleging conduct this library classifies as paid stock promotion. No monetary relief has been recorded at this stage; the matter is an allegation and remains unproven. Fri, 03 May 2024 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-christian-fernandez-paid-stock-promotion-2024/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-christian-fernandez-paid-stock-promotion-2024/ In 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission settled an action with Christian Fernandez, alleging conduct this library classifies as paid stock promotion. The release records disgorgement of $331,782, prejudgment interest of $30,094. Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-justin-sun-tron-foundation-limited-bittorrent-foundation-ltd-rainberry-inc-a/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-justin-sun-tron-foundation-limited-bittorrent-foundation-ltd-rainberry-inc-a/ In August 2023, the SEC reported a consent judgment against celebrity Austin Mahone in its case against Justin Sun and his companies over unregistered offerings of TRX and BTT, wash trading of TRX and undisclosed celebrity touting; the money recorded is Mahone's, and the case against the others continued. Mon, 07 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion wash-trading https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-costello-et-al-paid-stock-promotion-2023/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-costello-et-al-paid-stock-promotion-2023/ In 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission obtained a judgment against Justin Costello and David Ferraro, alleging conduct this library classifies as paid stock promotion. The release records disgorgement of $142,725. Tue, 11 Jul 2023 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-eleazar-kauderer-gpl-ventures-llc-et-al-paid-stock-promotion-2023/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-eleazar-kauderer-gpl-ventures-llc-et-al-paid-stock-promotion-2023/ In 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission obtained a judgment against Eleazar Kauderer, GPL Ventures LLC, et al., alleging conduct this library classifies as paid stock promotion. The release records disgorgement of $888,012, prejudgment interest of $23,783. Wed, 24 May 2023 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-thomas-carter-ronk-paid-stock-promotion-2023/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-thomas-carter-ronk-paid-stock-promotion-2023/ In 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission obtained a judgment against Thomas Carter Ronk, alleging conduct this library classifies as paid stock promotion. The release records a civil penalty of $75,000. Mon, 22 May 2023 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-justin-sun-et-al-paid-stock-promotion-2023/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-justin-sun-et-al-paid-stock-promotion-2023/ In March 2023 the SEC charged Justin Sun and his companies with unregistered offers of TRX and BTT tokens and with wash trading TRX, and charged eight celebrities for touting the tokens. On March 5, 2026 the SEC filed a proposed global resolution: Rainberry would pay a $10 million penalty on the wash-trading claim, subject to court approval, and all other claims against the Tron defendants would be dismissed. Fri, 24 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion unregistered-distributions wash-trading https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-aliaune-damala-badara-akon-thiam-paid-stock-promotion-2023/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-aliaune-damala-badara-akon-thiam-paid-stock-promotion-2023/ In 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission settled an action with Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam, alleging conduct this library classifies as paid stock promotion. The release records a civil penalty of $126,000, disgorgement of $42,000, prejudgment interest of $2,814. Wed, 22 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-jake-joseph-paul-paid-stock-promotion-2023/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-jake-joseph-paul-paid-stock-promotion-2023/ In 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission settled an action with Jake Joseph Paul, alleging conduct this library classifies as paid stock promotion. The release records a civil penalty of $75,057, disgorgement of $25,019, prejudgment interest of $1,811. Wed, 22 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-lindsay-dee-lohan-paid-stock-promotion-2023/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-lindsay-dee-lohan-paid-stock-promotion-2023/ In 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission settled an action with Lindsay Dee Lohan, alleging conduct this library classifies as paid stock promotion. The release records a civil penalty of $30,000, disgorgement of $10,000. Wed, 22 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-michele-anne-mason-paid-stock-promotion-2023/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-michele-anne-mason-paid-stock-promotion-2023/ In 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission settled an action with Michele Anne Mason, alleging conduct this library classifies as paid stock promotion. The release records a civil penalty of $2,865, disgorgement of $955. Wed, 22 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-miles-parks-mccollum-paid-stock-promotion-2023/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-miles-parks-mccollum-paid-stock-promotion-2023/ In 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission settled an action with Miles Parks McCollum, alleging conduct this library classifies as paid stock promotion. The release records a civil penalty of $30,000, disgorgement of $10,000. Wed, 22 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-shaffer-chimere-smith-paid-stock-promotion-2023/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-shaffer-chimere-smith-paid-stock-promotion-2023/ In 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission settled an action with Shaffer Chimere Smith, alleging conduct this library classifies as paid stock promotion. The release records a civil penalty of $36,000, disgorgement of $12,000. Wed, 22 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-paul-anthony-pierce-paid-stock-promotion-2023/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-paul-anthony-pierce-paid-stock-promotion-2023/ In 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission settled an action with Paul Anthony Pierce, alleging conduct this library classifies as paid stock promotion. The release records a civil penalty of $1.1 million, disgorgement of $244,116, prejudgment interest of $15,449. Fri, 17 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-kimberly-kardashian-paid-stock-promotion-2022/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-kimberly-kardashian-paid-stock-promotion-2022/ In 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission settled an action with Kimberly Kardashian, alleging conduct this library classifies as paid stock promotion. The release records a civil penalty of $1 million, disgorgement of $250,000. Mon, 03 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-jonathan-william-mikula-et-al-paid-stock-promotion-2022/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-jonathan-william-mikula-et-al-paid-stock-promotion-2022/ In 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission settled an action with Jonathan William Mikula, et al., alleging conduct this library classifies as paid stock promotion. The release records a civil penalty of $1,630,661, disgorgement of $960,315. A parallel criminal matter is referenced in the release. Fri, 30 Sep 2022 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-bruce-schoengood-medifirst-solutions-inc-paid-stock-promotion-2022/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-bruce-schoengood-medifirst-solutions-inc-paid-stock-promotion-2022/ In 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission obtained a judgment against Bruce Schoengood, Medifirst Solutions, Inc., and Joshua Tyrell, alleging conduct this library classifies as paid stock promotion. The release records a civil penalty of $100,000, disgorgement of $125,000. A parallel criminal matter is referenced in the release. Mon, 18 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-global-wholehealth-partners-corp-charles-strongo-brian-m-volmer-joshua-yafa-/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-global-wholehealth-partners-corp-charles-strongo-brian-m-volmer-joshua-yafa-/ In 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission brought an action against Global Wholehealth Partners Corp., Charles Strongo, Brian M. Volmer, Joshua Yafa, Jamie M. Yafa, and Empire Associates, Inc., alleging conduct this library classifies as paid stock promotion and pump and dump. No monetary relief has been recorded at this stage; the matter is an allegation and remains unproven. A parallel criminal matter is referenced in the release. Thu, 17 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion pump-and-dump https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-adam-heimann-paid-stock-promotion-2021/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-adam-heimann-paid-stock-promotion-2021/ In 2021, the Securities and Exchange Commission settled an action with Adam Heimann, Michael Perinotti, EGM Firm Inc. and MIDAM Ventures LLC, alleging conduct this library classifies as paid stock promotion. The release records a civil penalty of $1,250,000. Thu, 30 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-lawrence-b-adams-paid-stock-promotion-2021/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-lawrence-b-adams-paid-stock-promotion-2021/ In 2021, the Securities and Exchange Commission brought an action against Lawrence B. Adams, alleging conduct this library classifies as paid stock promotion. No monetary relief has been recorded at this stage; the matter is an allegation and remains unproven. Mon, 16 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-blotics-ltd-f-d-b-a-coinschedule-ltd-paid-stock-promotion-2021/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-blotics-ltd-f-d-b-a-coinschedule-ltd-paid-stock-promotion-2021/ In 2021, the Securities and Exchange Commission settled an action with Blotics Ltd. f/d/b/a Coinschedule Ltd., alleging conduct this library classifies as paid stock promotion. The release records a civil penalty of $154,434, disgorgement of $43,000. Wed, 14 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-contrarian-press-llc-scott-s-fraser-paid-stock-promotion-2021/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-contrarian-press-llc-scott-s-fraser-paid-stock-promotion-2021/ In 2021, the Securities and Exchange Commission published a release reporting final judgments against Scott Fraser and Nathan Yeung over promotional campaigns for Empowered Products that did not disclose that the company and Fraser had paid for them. The claim against the defunct newsletter company was dismissed. This library classifies the conduct as paid stock promotion. The release records a civil penalty of $200,000. Thu, 01 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-reuben-robert-goldman-paid-stock-promotion-2021/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-reuben-robert-goldman-paid-stock-promotion-2021/ In 2021, the Securities and Exchange Commission settled an action with Reuben Robert Goldman and Two Triangle Consulting Group, LLC d/b/a Goldman Small Cap Research, alleging conduct this library classifies as paid stock promotion. The release records a civil penalty of $39,931, disgorgement of $39,931, prejudgment interest of $3,721. Wed, 30 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-bruce-schoengood-medifirst-solutions-inc-paid-stock-promotion-2021/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-bruce-schoengood-medifirst-solutions-inc-paid-stock-promotion-2021/ In February 2021 the SEC charged Bruce Schoengood, Medifirst Solutions and promoter Joshua Tyrell over a stock-compensation promotion scheme. Tyrell (June 2022) and Medifirst (September 2023) have final judgments, but the SEC said its case against Schoengood remained pending as of October 2023. Wed, 24 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-anthony-thompson-jr-et-al-paid-stock-promotion-2020/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-anthony-thompson-jr-et-al-paid-stock-promotion-2020/ In 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission obtained a judgment against Anthony Thompson, Jr., Jay Fung and Eric Van Nguyen, alleging conduct this library classifies as paid stock promotion and pump and dump. The release records disgorgement of $2,390,965. A parallel criminal matter is referenced in the release. Wed, 30 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion pump-and-dump https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-mcafee-et-al-paid-stock-promotion-2020/ https://marketmanipulation.org/cases/sec-mcafee-et-al-paid-stock-promotion-2020/ In October 2020 the SEC charged John McAfee and Jimmy Gale Watson Jr. over undisclosed paid promotion of initial coin offerings and a separate scheme to tout and sell a crypto asset. On 14 July 2022 the court entered a consent judgment against Watson for US$316,401.48 in disgorgement and US$59,533.38 in interest, and the claims against McAfee were dismissed after the SEC filed a notice of his death. Tue, 06 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMT SEC paid-stock-promotion