Release: 5112-05
For Release: August 30, 2005

CFTC FREEZES OVER $1.5 MILLION OF HEDGE FUND’S ASSETS IN FRAUD CASE

CFTC Charges Stuart Pippin, Individually And Doing Business As Pippin Investments, With Fraud For Issuing False Trading Results To Pool Participants

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced today that a federal court in Brooklyn, New York entered a restraining order against defendant Stuart Pippin, individually and doing business as Pippin Investments, freezing Pippin’s assets and preventing the destruction or alteration of books and business records. Pippin resides in San Antonio, Texas.

The court’s order, entered on August 29, 2005, arises from a CFTC complaint filed earlier that day, alleging, among other things, that between June 2004 and the present, Pippin received more than $1.9 million dollars from approximately 35 commodity pool participants to trade crude oil futures contracts on their behalf.The complaint alleges that Pippin then transferred that money to his personal bank account.

The complaint further alleges that, in sworn testimony before CFTC staff on August 24, Pippin admitted that he sent monthly statements to the pool participants falsely claiming that, in the aggregate, the participations in the pool were worth more than $4.2 million as a result of profitable trading.As alleged, Pippin admitted that he made only one futures trade, which lost $90.The complaint also alleges, and Pippin admitted, that he never registered with the Commission as a commodity pool operator.

Gregory G. Mocek, CFTC Director of Enforcement, stated:

We needed to stop this scheme dead in its tracks to protect customers. We achieved that goal by freezing over $1.5 million in funds, or nearly 93 percent of the funds invested in this commodity pool. The public should be very wary of entrusting funds for highly speculative futures trading with individuals and firms that are not properly registered.

United States District Judge John Gleeson of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York ordered a preliminary injunction hearing for September 8, 2005.

In its ongoing litigation, the CFTC is seeking a permanent injunction against the defendant, restitution to defrauded pool participants, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains, and a monetary penalty. The CFTC appreciates the assistance of the National Futures Association leading up to this action.

The following CFTC Division of Enforcement staff members are responsible for this case: Sheila Marhamati, Philip Rix, Steven Ringer, Stephen Obie, and Richard Wagner.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The CFTC encourages members of the public to bring to our attention any suspicious activities involving futures or commodity options, including matters involving foreign currency (forex) investments or suspicious internet websites.

You may contact the CFTC at 1-866-FON-CFTC (1-866-366-2382) visit us at our Customer Protection web page: (www.cftc.gov/cftc/cftccustomer.htm), or fill out our Internet Report Form identifying your concerns (www.cftc.gov/enf/enfform.htm).

In addition, the CFTC publishes a series of Consumer Advisories at http://www.cftc.gov/cftc/cftccustomer.htm#advisory alerting the public to warning signs of possible fraudulent activity and offering precautions individuals should take before committing funds.

Media Contacts
Alan Sobba
(202) 418-5080
Dennis Holden
(202) 418-5088
CFTC Office of External Affairs, Washington, D.C.

Staff Contact
Stephen Obie
Regional Counsel and Associate Director
CFTC Division of Enforcement
646-746-9766

Related Documents
Complaint
Restraining Order