News & Publications

News Releases

Jun 17
2024

The Texas State Securities Board Issued Two Orders to Protect Texas Investors and Ensure Heightened Compliance with Securities Laws

Impersonating Texas companies, for example Tesla Inc., isn't the best of ideas— Emergency Cease and Desist Order . In an unrelated order, Masterworks Administrative Services, LLC, resolved its prior activities by agreeing to comply with securities law requirements and paying an administrative fine—...
May 28
2024

Securities Commissioner Warns Investors About MLM Crypto Investment Schemes

Securities Commissioner Travis J. Iles issued an Emergency Cease and Desist Order to halt a fraudulent MLM scheme that purportedly offered investments in cloud mining cryptocurrency. The order outlines the use of deceptive image and video manipulation techniques and the employment of actors to...
May 13
2024

Cristi Ramón Ochoa Named Deputy Securities Commissioner

The Texas State Securities Board on May 9 approved the appointment of Cristi Ramón Ochoa as Deputy Securities Commissioner. Ramón Ochoa joined the State Securities Board in 2016 where she served as a staff attorney in the Inspections and Compliance Division. “Cristi has a wealth of experience that...
All News Releases

Enforcement Actions: Administrative

Jun 17
2024

Order No. ENF-24-CDO-1884

In the Matter of Tesla Inc. LTD aka Tesla SpaceX Investments aka Tesla SpaceX Investments aka Tesla-SpaceX Invest aka Telsa SpaceX aka Telsa Space-X aka Telsa Inc. aka Tesla, Cameron Williamson, Leslie Alexander, Esther Howard, and Kristin Watson: Emergency Cease and Desist Order

Jun 17
2024

Order No. REG-24-CAF-04

In the Matter of the Dealer Registration of Masterworks Administrative Services, LLC: Reprimanded, Fined, and Undertaking

May 28
2024

Order No. ENF-24-CDO-1883

In the Matter of Arkit Capital LLC, Arkbit Capital Holdings, LLC aka ABC Holdings LLC aka ABC Mining, Paras Khivesara, Thomas Brewer, Delmar Estabrook, Nicolai C. Schou, Melita Novosel, LIbby Talbot, and Edwin O'Conner: Emergency Cease and Desist Order

All administrative actions

Enforcement Actions: Criminal & Civil

Oct 29
2021

Former Registered Securities Professional Entered a Plea to Securities Fraud and other Crimes

On October 29, 2021, Derrick R. Trussell (CRD No. 5197550) entered a plea of no contest to securities fraud, securing execution of a document by deception and misapplication of fiduciary property in Cause No. 2019-CR-5767B, in the 175th Judicial District Court of Bexar County, Texas. Trussell was...
Oct 28
2021

Warning to Victims of Rare Earth Exploration LLC, Bradley Sherman Haycraft and Timothy Taylor

The Texas State Securities Board is warning investors in Rare Earth Exploration LLC about a fake financial settlement scam involving the Gordon Black & Associates Law Firm and International Corporate Entity Inc. Scammers claiming to be employees of Gordon Black & Associates are contacting investors...
Oct 15
2021

Larry Steve Bassett - Indicted

On October 15, 2021, a grand jury sitting in Lee County, Texas, indicted Larry Steve Bassett for first-degree securities fraud, theft and money laundering. The charges relate to his alleged unlawful sale of investments in a trading program to 15 victims for approximately $1.5M. Bassett is accused of...
All civil & criminal actions

Publications

Texas Investor Guide Cover

Texas Investor Guide

Strategies for Investing Wisely and Avoiding Financial Fraud

Nest Egg, IRA, 401k, Money

Everyone's Investment Guide

A six-part online presentation covering Making Investments, the Principles of Investing, Investing for a Secure Retirement, Planning Withdrawals, and Avoiding Scams.

Cover

Financial Field Manual

A Personal Finance Guide for Military Families

All publications