Enforcement Actions

The CFTC Division of Enforcement investigates and prosecutes alleged violations of the Commodity Exchange Act and Commission regulations. The CFTC takes enforcement actions against individuals and firms registered with the Commission, those who are engaged in commodity futures and option trading on designated domestic exchanges, and those who improperly market futures and options contracts.

View Dispositions
View Opinions and Adjudicatory Orders

Enforcement Advisory: Updated Advisory on Self Reporting and Full Cooperation

Enforcement Advisory: Cooperation Factors in Enforcement Division Sanction Recommendations for Individuals

Enforcement Advisory: Cooperation Factors in Enforcement Division Sanction Recommendations for Companies

Enforcement Advisory: Advisory on Self Reporting and Cooperation for CEA Violations Involving Foreign Corrupt Practices

See CFTC Press Release 7518-17 (January 19, 2017) and
Speech of James McDonald, Director of the Division of Enforcement Commodity Futures Trading Commission Regarding Perspectives on Enforcement: Self-Reporting and Cooperation at the CFTC (September 25, 2017)

Date ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS
FLORIDA COMMODITY TRADER CHARGED WITH MISAPPROPRIATING AT LEAST $1 MILLION IN CUSTOMER FUNDS AND VIOLATING PRIOR FEDERAL COURT ORDER; CFTC Charges Thomas Chilcott, Ted Whidden, and Leona Westbrook With Fraudulently Operating Commodities Trading Business Known As Trade Master of Southwest Florida; Federal Court Freezes Assets and Bars Destruction of Books and Records
CFTC CRACKS DOWN ON FOREIGN CURRENCY SCAMS NATIONWIDE; Nineteen Firms and Individuals Charged in Sweep With Selling Illegal Foreign Currency (Forex) Investments to the Retail Public; Actions Cap First Year of FOREX Initiative Using Reinforced Statutory Authority
CFTC Warns the Public About Investment Opportunities Promising Large Profits and Little Risk, Even When Offered by Friends and Acquaintances
FORMER CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF A COMMODITY FIRM SETTLES CFTC ACTION CHARGING SUPERVISORY FAILURES; CFTC Finds That Mark Vaughn Failed To Supervise Diligently The Handling Of Foreign Customer Accounts
FLORIDA COMMODITY TRADING ADVISORS SETTLE CFTC FRAUD ACTION; Defendants Fred and Jeanne Monte Permanently Banned From Trading Futures or Options
COMMODITY TRADER AND TWO MICHIGAN COMPANIES CHARGED WITH $2.9 MILLION FRAUD; GOVERNMENT ALLEGES FICTITIOUS TRADING; Federal Court Freezes Assets and Bars the Destruction of Books and Records
NEW YORK COMMODITY BROKER CHARGED WITH ILLEGAL TRADING AND VIOLATION OF A COMMISSION ORDER; CFTC Alleges Branch Manager Patrick Ligammari Engaged in Non-Competitive Trading To Facilitate the Transfer of Over $300,000 Between Two Foreign Accounts
CFTC SETTLES CASE AGAINST CHICAGO FIRM AND ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR; CFTC finds that Excellent USA and John Gallwas Failed to Supervise the Handling of Foreign Omnibus Accounts; CFTC Revokes Registration of Excellent USA as a Result of the Criminal Conviction of One of its Principals
INTERNET TRADING SYSTEM PROMOTER CHARGED WITH COMMODITY FRAUD; CFTC Alleges Michael Radcliffe Made False Claims Concerning Profits Generated By His Commodity Trading System
OHIO COMMODITY TRADER SETTLES POOL FRAUD ACTION; Consent Order with Government Regulator Finds that Defendant Jeffrey T. Bailey Committed Fraud By Diverting Investor Funds For His Own Use and Permanently Bars Him from Futures and Options Trading