June 16, 2024|White Collar

Buchalter Obtains Dismissal and Attorney Fees in Fraud Case Against the SEC

On May 28, 2024, a federal judge ordered the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to pay $1.8 million in attorney and receivership fees after dismissing its case against Digital Licensing Inc., also known as DEBT Box. The SEC accused the crypto firm of running a fraudulent $49 million scheme. However, the judge found that the SEC acted in bad faith by presenting misleading information to obtain a temporary restraining order to freeze DEBT Box’s assets.

This ruling comes amid broader criticism of the SEC’s handling of enforcement actions in the crypto space​. Following this ruling, the SEC Office in Salt Lake City announced it’s closure.

The Buchalter team, led by Shareholder Brent Baker and Attorney Tucker Levis from the firm’s White Collar & Investigations Group, successfully defended their individual client in the lawsuit, achieving dismissal of the charges and obtaining reimbursement for legal fees.

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