Release: 5702-09

For Release: August 21, 2009

CFTC Obtains Disgorgement of Ill-Gotten Gains From Christopher Smithers, Jack Smithers and Prosperity Consultants, Inc.

Christopher Smithers liable for additional monetary penalties

Washington, DC — The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced that it has obtained an order against Christopher Smithers, Jack Smithers and Prosperity Consultants, Inc. (PCI), determining that all three are jointly and severally liable for disgorgement of ill-gotten gains totaling $96,263.61. Commodity Futures Trading Commission v. Christopher Smithers, et al., Civil Action No. 05-80592-civ-Hurley (S.D. Fla. Aug. 17, 2009). Christopher Smithers is individually liable for disgorgement of an additional $109,783.00 in ill-gotten gains, as well as monetary penalties of $206,046.61.

The order stems from the CFTC’s complaint filed on June 29, 2005. The complaint charged that the Smitherses and PCI committed fraud in the solicitation of clients to invest in commodity interest accounts managed by the Smitherses.

In a prior Final Order of Permanent Injunction, the Court found that the Smitherses and PCI solicited more than $511,000 from at least 35 clients to trade commodity futures contracts by making promises of large profits and guaranteed returns in violation of the Commodity Exchange Act. Of the more than $361,000 in client funds directly invested with the Smitherses, the Court found that only about $198,000 was actually used to trade futures contracts and of the more than $149,000 in client funds invested with PCI, only $113,500 was actually traded. Further, the Court found that the Smitherses withdrew client funds and used them for personal expenses or sent them to other clients as purported returns on their investments, and made a number of misrepresentations to hide their unsuccessful trading and misappropriation from their clients.

Additionally, the Smitherses failed to disclose to clients that Christopher Smithers was already subject to an injunction barring him from trading futures contracts, and that more than 90% of Christopher Smithers’ previous firm’s clients lost money. Finally, the Court found that in soliciting customers, Christopher Smithers violated his prior federal court injunction (See CFTC news Release 4716-02, Oct. 24, 2002).

The following CFTC staff members are responsible for this matter: John W. Dunfee, Ken Koh, Jason Mahoney, Paul G. Hayeck and Joan Manley.

Media Contacts
Scott Schneider
202-418-5174

Dennis Holden
202-418-5088

Last Updated: August 21, 2009