SEC Wins Jury Trial: Hedge Fund Adviser Found Liable for Securities Fraud

Jurors in Boston federal court today returned a verdict in the Securities Exchange Commission’s favor against a hedge fund adviser and his investment advisory firm. Gregory Lemelson and Massachusetts-based Lemelson Capital Management LLC were charged with fraud in September 2018 for reaping more than $1.3 million in illegal profits by making false statements to drive down the price of San Diego-based Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc. The SEC’s evidence at trial showed that after establishing a short position in Ligand through his hedge fund, Lemelson made a series of false statements to shake investor confidence in Ligand and lower its stock price, increasing the value of his fund’s position.