On February 17, 2012 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) published that the commission issued an Order Instituting Proceedings (OIP) on November 29, 2011, pursuant to Section 15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The OIP alleges that Respondent Robert Rossi (Rossi) was permanently enjoined from future violations of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 (Securities Act), Sections 10(b) and 15(a) of the Exchange Act, and Exchange Act Rule 10b-5 in SEC v. Petroleum Unlimited, LLC, 9:11-cv-80038-KAM (S.D. Fla. Nov. 9, 2011). I held a prehearing conference on December 29, 2011, at which Rossi did not appear. At the prehearing conference, I found that Rossi was served with the OIP on December 3, 2011, in accordance with Rule 141(a)(2)(i) of the Commission’s Rules of Practice. Prehearing Tr. 7-8. See 17 C.F.R. § 201.141(a)(2)(i). To date, Rossi has not filed an Answer, which was due on December 27, 2011. See OIP at 3; 17 C.F.R. §§ 201.160(b), .220(b).

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On February 21, 2012 Financial Services Authority (FSA) has obtained an interim injunction at the High Court against Stuart Carl Mudge and Anthony John Lewis regarding their involvement in the Churchgate Trading Syndicate (Churchgate). The injunction prevents them from accepting any further investments into Churchgate, or making any new trades on behalf of the syndicate with investor funds. Assets belonging to both Mudge and Lewis have also been frozen.

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As published in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) disciplinary actions report for February 2012, John Hagler Hopkins of Lexington, Kentucky was suspended for failure to Provide Information or Keep Information Current Pursuant to FINRA Rule 9552(d).

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As published in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) disciplinary actions report for February 2012, Martin Derrick Jenkins of Jupiter, Florida was suspended for failure to Provide Information or Keep Information Current Pursuant to FINRA Rule 9552(d).

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As published in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) disciplinary actions report for February 2012, Juan Joshua Justiniano of Providence, Rhode Island was suspended for failure to Provide Information or Keep Information Current Pursuant to FINRA Rule 9552(d).

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As published in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) disciplinary actions report for February 2012, Julius L. Smith III of Fayetteville, Georgia was suspended for failure to Provide Information or Keep Information Current Pursuant to FINRA Rule 9552(d).

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As published in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) disciplinary actions report for February 2012, Daniel Victor Tumminia of Woodbridge, New Jersey was suspended for failure to Provide Information or Keep Information Current Pursuant to FINRA Rule 9552(d).

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As published in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) disciplinary actions report for February 2012, Chad Michael Witter of Bettendorf, Iowa was suspended for failure to Provide Information or Keep Information Current Pursuant to FINRA Rule 9552(d).

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As published in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) disciplinary actions report for February 2012, Carl Max Birkelbach of Chicago, Illinois was revoked for failure to pay fines and/or Costs Pursuant to FINRA Rule 8320.

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As published in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) disciplinary actions report for February 2012, Stephen Read Hanmer III of Matthews, North Carolina was revoked for failure to pay fines and/or Costs Pursuant to FINRA Rule 8320.

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As published in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) disciplinary actions report for February 2012, Finance 500, Inc. of Irvine, California, Paul John Savage of Coto De Caza, California and Thomas John Harm of Ladera Ranch, California has submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent in which the firm was censured and fined $50,000. Savage was fined $10,000 and suspended from association with any FINRA member in any principal capacity for 10 business days.

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As published in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) disciplinary actions report for February 2012, Syndicated Capital, Inc. of Santa Monica, California, Faith Li Lee of Diamond Bar, California and Joseph Lloyd McAdams Jr. of Pacific Palisades, California has submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent in which the firm was censured and fined $15,000, jointly and severally with Lee and McAdams. Lee and McAdams were each suspended from association with any FINRA member in any principal capacity for 10 business days.

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As published in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) disciplinary actions report for February 2012, Synergy Investment Group, LLC of Charlotte, North Carolina, Thurman Ray Crawford of Beaumont, Texas and Jeffrey Dean Jones of Concord, North Carolina has submitted an Offer of Settlement in which the firm was censured and fined $20,000. Crawford was fined $10,000 and suspended from association with any FINRA member in any capacity for 60 days. Jones was fined $10,000 and suspended from association with any FINRA member in any principal capacity for three months.

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On February 16, 2012 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) published that the commission deems it appropriate and in the public interest that public administrative proceedings be, and hereby are, instituted pursuant to Section 203(f) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 against Michelle W. Palm (“Palm” or “Respondent”). In anticipation of the institution of these proceedings, Respondent has submitted an Offer of Settlement, which the Commission has determined to accept. Solely for the purpose of these proceedings and any other proceedings brought by or on behalf of the Commission, or to which the Commission is a party, and without admitting or denying the findings herein, except as to the Commission’s jurisdiction over her and the subject matter of these proceedings, and the findings contained in Section III.2 below, which are admitted, Respondent consents to the entry of this Order Instituting Administrative Proceedings Pursuant to Section 203(f) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Making Findings, and Imposing Remedial Sanctions, as set forth below.

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On February 16, 2012 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) published that the commission deems it appropriate and in the public interest that public administrative proceedings be, and hereby are, instituted against George David Gordon (“Respondent” or “Gordon”) pursuant to Rule 102(e)(3)(i)1 1 Rule 102(e)(3)(i) provides, in relevant part, that: of the Commission’s Rules of Practice [17 C.F.R. § 200.102(e)(3)(i)]. The Commission finds that: George David Gordon, 48, at all relevant times was an attorney whose office was located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. On February 10, 2009, the Commission filed a complaint against Gordon in the Northern District of Oklahoma alleging that Gordon participated with two other defendants in a scheme to defraud the public by manipulating the share prices of three penny stocks: National Storm Management Group, Inc. (NLST), Deep Rock Oil and Gas, Inc. (DPRK), and Global Beverages Solutions, Inc. (GBVS). Securities and Exchange Commission v. George David Gordon, et al., Case No. 4:09-CV-00061-CVE (N.D. Okla.).

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