Securities Fraud Lawyers Blog

Fake Technology Investment Scheme Calls for Expertise from a Florida Stock Fraud Lawyer

Published on: August 7, 2015 | by Savage Villoch Law, PLLC

Like many investment schemes, the opportunity to invest in a Florida technology company developing a product for the NFL sounded too good to be true. In fact, it was entirely false. Now three Florida men are in prison for their roles selling shares in the fake company.

Stock fraud, also known as securities fraud, is a scheme to entice investors to make buy stock using information that is incomplete, misleading, or even false. The untrue statements can be related to a company’s financial statements, or its business plans. When an investment opportunity sparks suspicion, a Florida stock fraud lawyer can help you determine what to next.

In the fake NFL technology company scheme, federal prosecutors said that the victims, many of them seniors, were enticed to invest in a Miami Beach company that the fraudsters claimed was soon-to-go public, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported.

A new sheriff in town? Alleged securities fraud takes down Texas' top cop.

Published on: August 4, 2015 | by Savage Villoch Law, PLLC

Sometimes knowing the rules does not mean you follow them.

Although he was the and ‘tireless conservative warrior’Texas Attorney General, that wasn’t enough to shield Ken Paxton from alleged securities fraud that took place before he took office in January. In an indictment unsealed on Monday, August 3, 2015, Paxton was alleged to have persuaded a state lawmaker and a private citizen to invest more than $100,000 in shares of Servergy, Inc. Paxton reportedly told investors that he was personally invested in Servergy but he allegedly failed to mention that Servergy was also compensating Paxton with stock shares.

Obviously this, if true, would be a ‘material misrepresentation’ as any investor would probably take into consideration whether the stock salesman was being compensated and therefore potentially making a recommendation with an undisclosed conflict of interest. The big question now is whether his stature as a prominent conservative Republican will protect him from the process of law and result in minimal negative impact if the allegations are found true.

Monday Minute: How can an attorney help me in arbitration?

Published on: August 3, 2015 | by Savage Villoch Law, PLLC

Robert Savage discusses how an attorney can assist you in arbitration.

Avoid These Temptations When Filing for Chapter 7 in Tampa

Published on: July 31, 2015 | by Savage Villoch Law, PLLC

Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a difficult decision for anyone, and usually a scary one. Too often, people make rash decisions in an effort to get as much as they can in their case. Word to the wise: before you make any decisions regarding your finances prior to filing, it’s imperative that you consult with a competent Tampa Chapter 7 lawyer.

That said, here are 3 things you don’t want to do before you file:

Don’t try to hide your assets: hiding assets, say by selling a relative a house or a car at far less than market value, is a definite “no-no”, and in some circumstances can even be a crime. Even selling off assets at fair market value can create enough suspicion that it damages your case. If you have any questions about property you want to sell, consult with your attorney before taking any action.

Monday Minute: How can a lawyer help me recoup my money?

Published on: July 27, 2015 | by Savage Villoch Law, PLLC

How can a lawyer help me recoup my money? Robert Savage addresses this issue.

What Florida Bankruptcy Can, and Cannot, Do For You

Published on: July 23, 2015 | by Savage Villoch Law, PLLC

In most bankruptcies in the State of Florida, the filer does not have to appear in court. He, or she, only has to attend a “meeting of creditors,” which also includes a “bankruptcy trustee.” Appearing before a judge usually occurs if the filer is challenging a debt and claims he does not owe it, or that he owes only part of it. Although bankruptcy is the best legal means of “eliminating (or ‘discharging’) most, or all, of your debt,” there are certain things bankruptcy can, and cannot, do for you. Bankruptcy is able to:

1) Stop home foreclosure and vehicle repossession, while you “catch up on missed payments” –Bankruptcy can even make creditors return property which they’ve already confiscated.

2) Stop wage garishment and debt collection calls,

An Overview of Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Published on: July 16, 2015 | by Savage Villoch Law, PLLC

Bankruptcy happens to people from all walks of life, and deciding to file is often a difficult decision. If this is something you are considering, read on to learn about filing for Chapter 7.

What is Chapter 7?

This is also called “straight” or “liquidation” bankruptcy and means that the trustee will cancel most if not all of your debts. During this time, the trustee may sell some of your property to repay your creditors.

Should I Contact a Bankruptcy Lawyer?

Published on: July 9, 2015 | by Savage Villoch Law, PLLC

No one wants to file for bankruptcy. The world we live in is fast-paced and jobs are scarce, pay raises are scarce, but the cost of living is increasing rapidly. It is easy to find yourself overwhelmed with debt and burdened with payments that you cannot afford to make. Many people consider consumer credit counseling, but the objective is to get your payments manageable to where you can live comfortably without recreating debt. In some cases, bankruptcy is the best option for you and your family, and that is okay.

When should I contact a bankruptcy lawyer?

You should speak with a lawyer when your debt has become too much to manage. If you’re struggling to make your monthly payments and are continuing to use credit to make ends meet, then you should consult with a lawyer to see if bankruptcy is right for you.

South Florida Bankruptcy Filings Take Sharp Downturn

Published on: July 2, 2015 | by Savage Villoch Law, PLLC

Buoyed by an improving economy, businesses across South Florida reported a lower rate of bankruptcy filings through the first quarter of 2015 compared to the year prior.

According to a report published by the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, 59 businesses filed for Chapter 11, down from 87 in the first quarter of calendar year 2014. Through the worst years of the financial crisis, the average number of bankruptcy filings for South Florida businesses edged even higher.

Growth in South Florida’s hospitality and real estate markets is responsible for the majority of the decline in business bankruptcy filings. But, industry experts are careful to note, high-performance in any sector of the economy, particularly in the real estate industry, is open to some variance. South Florida real estate is often characterized as a roller coaster ride, full of ebbs and flows that could reverse the decline in bankruptcy filings seen over the past several years.

How Do You Know If Your Accountant is Exaggerating the Numbers?

Published on: June 26, 2015 | by Savage Villoch Law, PLLC

Securities Fraud Lawyers Blog

How Do You Know If Your Accountant is Exaggerating the Numbers? Brenda Combs shares her wisdom on the topic in this informative video.