Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Stockbroker Fraud Not Dischargeable

BY A. Michael Sabino
August 15, 2003

It is a cornerstone of our nation's bankruptcy jurisprudence that the discharge of individual debt is reserved solely for the honest debtor. This encompasses rules that certain debts are non-dischargeable, notable among them debts obtained by fraud and other illegal acts.

Nevertheless, from time to time various lawbreakers still seek to manipulate the bankruptcy laws. One particular category encompasses stockbrokers brought up before stock market regulators on charges of fraud in connection with the buying or selling of securities, and then either settle for a sum certain with claimants or are found liable for damages and ordered to pay under an industry award or court decree.

Many of these avaricious types file for bankruptcy, and attempt to discharge what they owe under the allegation that the settlement or award is an ordinary debt. More often than not, the defrauded customer/creditor has had to resort to the expensive and time-consuming process of replicating in the bankruptcy court the original fraud case tried before the stock exchange regulators. Most disturbing, under the then-existing regime, there was no guarantee that a stockbroker's debt arising from wrongdoing would be held to be non-dischargeable.

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
Yachts, Jets, Horses & Hooch: Specialized Commercial Leasing Models Image

Defining commercial real estate asset class is essentially a property explaining how it identifies — not necessarily what its original intention was or what others think it ought to be. This article discusses, from a general issue-spot and contextual analysis perspective, how lawyers ought to think about specialized leasing formats and the regulatory backdrops that may inform what the documentation needs to contain for compliance purposes.

Hyperlinked Documents: The Latest e-Discovery Challenge Image

As courts and discovery experts debate whether hyperlinked content should be treated the same as traditional attachments, legal practitioners are grappling with the technical and legal complexities of collecting, analyzing and reviewing these documents in real-world cases.

Identifying Your Practice's Differentiator Image

How to Convey Your Merits In a Way That Earns Trust, Clients and Distinctions Just as no two individuals have the exact same face, no two lawyers practice in their respective fields or serve clients in the exact same way. Think of this as a "Unique Value Proposition." Internal consideration about what you uniquely bring to your clients, colleagues, firm and industry can provide untold benefits for your law practice.

Risks and Ad Fraud Protection In Digital Advertising Image

The ever-evolving digital marketing landscape, coupled with the industry-wide adoption of programmatic advertising, poses a significant threat to the effectiveness and integrity of digital advertising campaigns. This article explores various risks to digital advertising from pixel stuffing and ad stacking to domain spoofing and bots. It will also explore what should be done to ensure ad fraud protection and improve effectiveness.

Turning Business Development Plans Into Reality Image

This article offers practical insights and best practices to navigate the path from roadmap to rainmaking, ensuring your business development efforts are not just sporadic bursts of activity, but an integrated part of your daily success.