October 11, 2011

MERGER AND AN ALLEGED INSIDE TRADING SCHEME IN HEWITT ASSOCIATES STOCK

The following is an excerpt from the SEC website:
“The Securities and Exchange Commission today filed a civil injunctive action in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois charging M. Jason Hanold, a former managing director at an executive search firm in Chicago, with illegal insider trading in Hewitt Associates stock in advance of the July 12, 2010 public announcement of a merger agreement between Aon and Hewitt Associates.
The SEC alleges that on July 7, Hanold bought shares of Hewitt Associates stock after learning of the impending merger from his wife, who was an executive at Aon at the time. He did so despite requests from his wife that he keep this nonpublic information confidential.
According to the SEC’s complaint, Hanold’s wife learned on or about July 6, 2010 that Aon and Hewitt Associates had reached a merger agreement and that a public announcement was imminent. Hanold’s wife shared this information with Hanold in a telephone call that evening. Shortly after the call ended, Hanold’s wife sent him two emails in which she requested that he not share this information. Hanold replied, “I won’t, no need. I only wish we bought their stock!!!” The next day, July 7, 2010, Hanold purchased 831 shares of Hewitt Associate’s stock in advance of the July 12, 2010 public announcement of the agreement between Hewitt Associates and Aon. The announcement caused Hewitt Associates’ stock price to increase by more than 32%. Hanold sold all of his shares on July 12, 2010 for a profit of $10,241.
Without admitting or denying the allegations in the complaint, except as to jurisdiction, Hanold has consented to entry of a final judgment that permanently enjoins him from violating Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. Hanold has also consented to pay $20,766 in disgorgement, prejudgment interest and civil penalties. The settlement is subject to approval by the court.
James G. O’Keefe conducted the SEC’s investigation in this matter. The Commission acknowledges the assistance of FINRA in this investigation.”