SEC v. ANTHONY JAY PIGNATELLO, No. 1:16-cv-10960, District of Massachusetts (Feb. 13, 2024) — Judgment
raw: FINAL JUDGMENT AS TO DEFENDANT ANTHONY JAY PIGNATELLO
FINAL JUDGMENT AS TO DEFENDANT ANTHONY JAY PIGNATELLO, No. 1:16-cv-10960 (Feb. 13, 2024)
Anthony Jay Pignatello consented to a final judgment against him for securities fraud and unregistered offerings, resulting in permanent injunctions and a bar from penny stock participation.
The SEC secured a final judgment against Anthony Jay Pignatello for violating the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Pignatello was ordered to pay $37,264.00 in disgorgement and $6,073.52 in prejudgment interest, which were satisfied via a related criminal forfeiture. The court also imposed permanent injunctions against future securities fraud and barred him from participating in penny stock offerings.
The Securities and Exchange Commission obtained a final judgment against Anthony Jay Pignatello for violations involving fraudulent schemes and the unregistered sale of securities. Pignatello consented to the court's jurisdiction and the entry of the judgment, waiving his right to appeal. The judgment permanently enjoins him from violating Sections 10(b) and 17(a) of the Exchange Act and Section 5 of the Securities Act. Additionally, he is barred from serving as an officer or director of a reporting issuer and prohibited from participating in penny stock offerings. Financial penalties include $37,264.00 in disgorgement and $6,073.52 in prejudgment interest. These monetary obligations were deemed satisfied through a forfeiture in a related criminal case.
Extracted insights
- $37K $37,264 $10K–$100K
- $6K $6,073 <$10K
- person defendant anthony jay pignatello
- person general appearance
- agency Securities and Exchange Commission
- Securities And Exchange Commission filed Complaint
- Defendant Anthony Jay Pignatello entered general appearance
- Defendant Anthony Jay Pignatello is restrained from violating Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act
- Defendant Anthony Jay Pignatello is enjoined from violating Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act
- Defendant Anthony Jay Pignatello is restrained from violating Section 17(a) of the Securities Act
- Defendant Anthony Jay Pignatello is enjoined from violating Section 17(a) of the Securities Act
- Defendant Anthony Jay Pignatello waived right to appeal from this Final Judgment
- Defendant Anthony Jay Pignatello waived findings of fact and conclusions of law
- Defendant Anthony Jay Pignatello consented to entry of this Final Judgment
- Defendant Anthony Jay Pignatello consented to the Court’s jurisdiction over Defendant and the subject matter of this action
- Defendant’s officers, agents, servants, employees, and attorneys are bound by this Final Judgment
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS
__________________________________________
)
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE )
COMMISSION, )
)
Plaintiff, ) Civil Action No.:
) 1:16-cv-10960-ADB
v. )
)
CHRISTOPHER R. ESPOSITO, )
ANTHONY JAY PIGNATELLO, )
JAMES GONDOLFE, )
RENEE GALIZIO, )
LIONSHARE VENTURES LLC, and )
CANNABIZ MOBILE, INC. )
)
Defendants. )
__________________________________________)
FINAL JUDGMENT AS TO DEFENDANT ANTHONY JAY PIGNATELLO
The Securities and Exchange Commission having filed a Complaint and Defendant
Anthony Jay Pignatello having entered a general appearance; consented to the Court’s
jurisdiction over Defendant and the subject matter of this action; consented to entry of this Final
Judgment; waived findings of fact and conclusions of law; and waived any right to appeal from
this Final Judgment:
I.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that Defendant is
permanently restrained and enjoined from violating, directly or indirectly, Section 10(b) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) [15 U.S.C. § 78j(b)] and Rule 10b-5
promulgated thereunder [17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5], by using any means or instrumentality of
2
interstate commerce, or of the mails, or of any facility of any national securities exchange, in
connection with the purchase or sale of any security:
(a) to employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud;
(b) to make any untrue statement of a material fact or to omit to state a material fact
necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading; or
(c) to engage in any act, practice, or course of business which operates or would
operate as a fraud or deceit upon any person.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that, as provided in
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(d)(2), the foregoing paragraph also binds the following who
receive actual notice of this Final Judgment by personal service or otherwise: (a) Defendant’s
officers, agents, servants, employees, and attorneys; and (b) other persons in active concert or
participation with Defendant or with anyone described in (a).
II.
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that Defendant
is permanently restrained and enjoined from violating Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933
(the “Securities Act”) [15 U.S.C. § 77q(a)] in the offer or sale of any security by the use of any
means or instruments of transportation or communication in interstate commerce or by use of the
mails, directly or indirectly:
(a) to employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud;
(b) to obtain money or property by means of any untrue statement of a material fact
or any omission of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
3
made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
or
(c) to engage in any transaction, practice, or course of business which operates or
would operate as a fraud or deceit upon the purchaser.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that, as provided in
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(d)(2), the foregoing paragraph also binds the following who
receive actual notice of this Final Judgment by personal service or otherwise: (a) Defendant’s
officers, agents, servants, employees, and attorneys; and (b) other persons in active concert or
participation with Defendant or with anyone described in (a).
III.
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that Defendant
is permanently restrained and enjoined from violating Section 5 of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C.
§ 77e] by, directly or indirectly, in the absence of any applicable exemption:
(a) Unless a registration statement is in effect as to a security, making use of any
means or instruments of transportation or communication in interstate commerce
or of the mails to sell such security through the use or medium of any prospectus
or otherwise;
(b) Unless a registration statement is in effect as to a security, carrying or causing to
be carried through the mails or in interstate commerce, by any means or
instruments of transportation, any such security for the purpose of sale or for
delivery after sale; or
(c) Making use of any means or instruments of transportation or communication in
4
interstate commerce or of the mails to offer to sell or offer to buy through the use
or medium of any prospectus or otherwise any security, unless a registration
statement has been filed with the Commission as to such security, or while the
registration statement is the subject of a refusal order or stop order or (prior to the
effective date of the registration statement) any public proceeding or examination
under Section 8 of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. § 77h].
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that, as provided in
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(d)(2), the foregoing paragraph also binds the following who
receive actual notice of this Final Judgment by personal service or otherwise: (a) Defendant’s
officers, agents, servants, employees, and attorneys; and (b) other persons in active concert or
participation with Defendant or with anyone described in (a).
IV.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that, pursuant to Section
21(d)(2) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78u(d)(2)] and Section 20(e) of the Securities Act [15
U.S.C. § 77t(e)], Defendant is prohibited from acting as an officer or director of any issuer that
has a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78l]
or that is required to file reports pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C.
§ 78o(d)].
5
V.
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that Defendant
is permanently barred from participating in an offering of penny stock, including engaging in
activities with a broker, dealer, or issuer for purposes of issuing, trading, or inducing or
attempting to induce the purchase or sale of any penny stock. A penny stock is any equity
security that has a price of less than five dollars, except as provided in Rule 3a51-1 under the
Exchange Act [17 C.F.R. 240.3a51-1].
VI.
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that Defendant
shall pay disgorgement of $37,264.00 and prejudgment interest of $6,073.52, which shall be
deemed fully satisfied as to this Defendant by the forfeiture Defendant is liable for in United
States v. Anthony Jay Pignatello (D. Mass.).
VII.
ITISFURTHERORDERED,ADJUDGED,ANDDECREED that, for purposes of
exceptions to discharge set forth in Section 523 of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. §523, the
allegations in the complaint are true and admitted by Defendant, and further, any debt for
disgorgement, prejudgment interest, civil penalty or other amounts due by Defendant under this
Final Judgment or any other judgment, order, consent order, decree or settlement agreement
entered in connection with this proceeding, is a debt for the violation by Defendant of the federal
securities laws or any regulation or order issued under such laws, as set forth in Section
523(a)(19) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. §523(a)(19).
6
VIII.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that this Court shall retain
jurisdiction of this matter for the purposes of enforcing the terms of this Final Judgment.
IX.
There being no just reason for delay, pursuant to Rule 54(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure, the Clerk is ordered to enter this Final Judgment forthwith and without further notice.
Dated: ______________, 2024
____________________________________
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
February 12UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS
__________________________________________
)
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE )
COMMISSION, )
)
Plaintiff, ) Civil Action No.:
) 1:16-cv-10960-ADB
v. )
)
CHRISTOPHER R. ESPOSITO, )
ANTHONY JAY PIGNATELLO, )
JAMES GONDOLFE, )
RENEE GALIZIO, )
LIONSHARE VENTURES LLC, and )
CANNABIZ MOBILE, INC. )
)
Defendants. )
__________________________________________)
FINAL JUDGMENT AS TO DEFENDANT ANTHONY JAY PIGNATELLO
The Securities and Exchange Commission having filed a Complaint and Defendant
Anthony Jay Pignatello having entered a general appearance; consented to the Court’s
jurisdiction over Defendant and the subject matter of this action; consented to entry of this Final
Judgment; waived findings of fact and conclusions of law; and waived any right to appeal from
this Final Judgment:
I.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that Defendant is
permanently restrained and enjoined from violating, directly or indirectly, Section 10(b) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) [15 U.S.C. § 78j(b)] and Rule 10b-5
promulgated thereunder [17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5], by using any means or instrumentality of
Case 1:16-cv-10960-ADB Document 175 Filed 02/12/24 Page 1 of 6
2
interstate commerce, or of the mails, or of any facility of any national securities exchange, in
connection with the purchase or sale of any security:
(a) to employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud;
(b) to make any untrue statement of a material fact or to omit to state a material fact
necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading; or
(c) to engage in any act, practice, or course of business which operates or would
operate as a fraud or deceit upon any person.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that, as provided in
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(d)(2), the foregoing paragraph also binds the following who
receive actual notice of this Final Judgment by personal service or otherwise: (a) Defendant’s
officers, agents, servants, employees, and attorneys; and (b) other persons in active concert or
participation with Defendant or with anyone described in (a).
II.
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that Defendant
is permanently restrained and enjoined from violating Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933
(the “Securities Act”) [15 U.S.C. § 77q(a)] in the offer or sale of any security by the use of any
means or instruments of transportation or communication in interstate commerce or by use of the
mails, directly or indirectly:
(a) to employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud;
(b) to obtain money or property by means of any untrue statement of a material fact
or any omission of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
Case 1:16-cv-10960-ADB Document 175 Filed 02/12/24 Page 2 of 6
3
made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
or
(c) to engage in any transaction, practice, or course of business which operates or
would operate as a fraud or deceit upon the purchaser.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that, as provided in
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(d)(2), the foregoing paragraph also binds the following who
receive actual notice of this Final Judgment by personal service or otherwise: (a) Defendant’s
officers, agents, servants, employees, and attorneys; and (b) other persons in active concert or
participation with Defendant or with anyone described in (a).
III.
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that Defendant
is permanently restrained and enjoined from violating Section 5 of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C.
§ 77e] by, directly or indirectly, in the absence of any applicable exemption:
(a) Unless a registration statement is in effect as to a security, making use of any
means or instruments of transportation or communication in interstate commerce
or of the mails to sell such security through the use or medium of any prospectus
or otherwise;
(b) Unless a registration statement is in effect as to a security, carrying or causing to
be carried through the mails or in interstate commerce, by any means or
instruments of transportation, any such security for the purpose of sale or for
delivery after sale; or
(c) Making use of any means or instruments of transportation or communication in
Case 1:16-cv-10960-ADB Document 175 Filed 02/12/24 Page 3 of 6
4
interstate commerce or of the mails to offer to sell or offer to buy through the use
or medium of any prospectus or otherwise any security, unless a registration
statement has been filed with the Commission as to such security, or while the
registration statement is the subject of a refusal order or stop order or (prior to the
effective date of the registration statement) any public proceeding or examination
under Section 8 of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. § 77h].
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that, as provided in
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(d)(2), the foregoing paragraph also binds the following who
receive actual notice of this Final Judgment by personal service or otherwise: (a) Defendant’s
officers, agents, servants, employees, and attorneys; and (b) other persons in active concert or
participation with Defendant or with anyone described in (a).
IV.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that, pursuant to Section
21(d)(2) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78u(d)(2)] and Section 20(e) of the Securities Act [15
U.S.C. § 77t(e)], Defendant is prohibited from acting as an officer or director of any issuer that
has a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78l]
or that is required to file reports pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C.
§ 78o(d)].
Case 1:16-cv-10960-ADB Document 175 Filed 02/12/24 Page 4 of 6
5
V.
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that Defendant
is permanently barred from participating in an offering of penny stock, including engaging in
activities with a broker, dealer, or issuer for purposes of issuing, trading, or inducing or
attempting to induce the purchase or sale of any penny stock. A penny stock is any equity
security that has a price of less than five dollars, except as provided in Rule 3a51-1 under the
Exchange Act [17 C.F.R. 240.3a51-1].
VI.
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that Defendant
shall pay disgorgement of $37,264.00 and prejudgment interest of $6,073.52, which shall be
deemed fully satisfied as to this Defendant by the forfeiture Defendant is liable for in United
States v. Anthony Jay Pignatello (D. Mass.).
VII.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that, for purposes of
exceptions to discharge set forth in Section 523 of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. §523, the
allegations in the complaint are true and admitted by Defendant, and further, any debt for
disgorgement, prejudgment interest, civil penalty or other amounts due by Defendant under this
Final Judgment or any other judgment, order, consent order, decree or settlement agreement
entered in connection with this proceeding, is a debt for the violation by Defendant of the federal
securities laws or any regulation or order issued under such laws, as set forth in Section
523(a)(19) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. §523(a)(19).
Case 1:16-cv-10960-ADB Document 175 Filed 02/12/24 Page 5 of 6
6
VIII.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that this Court shall retain
jurisdiction of this matter for the purposes of enforcing the terms of this Final Judgment.
IX.
There being no just reason for delay, pursuant to Rule 54(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure, the Clerk is ordered to enter this Final Judgment forthwith and without further notice.
Dated: ______________, 2024
____________________________________
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
February 12
Case 1:16-cv-10960-ADB Document 175 Filed 02/12/24 Page 6 of 6