SEC Announces Trading Suspension of Aventura Equities

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Securities Lawyer 101 Blog

On March 5, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) announced the temporary trading suspension, pursuant to Section 12(k) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”), of trading in the securities of Aventura Equities, Inc. (“Aventura”) commencing at 9:30 a.m. EST on March 5, 2014, and terminating at 11:59 p.m. EDT on March 18, 2014.  The Commission temporarily suspended trading in the securities of Aventura because of questions concerning the adequacy and accuracy of publicly available information about Aventura.

Notably, the Commission is questioning control of the company as well as its business operations, and trading in its securities.

Trading suspensions such as this are becoming routine as the Commission identifies publicly traded companies that have been the subject of corporate hijackings or that have undisclosed control persons.  The SEC has suspended more than 2000 dormant issuers in the last few years and we expect to see many more trading suspension in the near future as the SEC continues to identify issuers who were the subject of illegal custodianship actions and other hijackings.

The Commission cautions brokers, dealers, shareholders, and prospective purchasers that they should carefully consider the foregoing information along with all other currently available information and any information subsequently issued by the company.  Further, brokers and dealers should be alert to the fact that, pursuant to Rule 15c2-11 under the Exchange Act, at the termination of the trading suspension, no quotation may be entered unless and until they have strictly complied with all of the provisions of the rule.  If any broker or dealer has any questions as to whether or not he has complied with the rule, he should not enter any quotation but immediately contact the staff in the Division of Trading and Markets, Office of Interpretation and Guidance at (202) 551-5777.

If any broker or dealer is uncertain as to what is required by Rule 15c2-11, he should refrain from entering quotations relating to Aventura’s securities until such time as he has familiarized himself with the rule and is certain that all of its provisions have been met.  If any broker or dealer enters any quotation which is in violation of the rule, the Commission will consider the need for prompt enforcement action.

For further information about this securities law blog post, please contact Brenda Hamilton, Securities Attorney at 101 Plaza Real S, Suite 202 N, Boca Raton, Florida, (561) 416-8956, by email at [email protected] or visit  www.securitieslawyer101.com.  This securities law blog post is provided as a general informational service to clients and friends of Hamilton & Associates Law Group and should not be construed as, and does not constitute, legal and compliance advice on any specific matter, nor does this message create an attorney-client relationship.  Please note that the prior results discussed herein do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Hamilton & Associates | Securities Lawyers
Brenda Hamilton, Securities Attorney
101 Plaza Real South, Suite 202 North
Boca Raton, Florida 33432
Telephone: (561) 416-8956
Facsimile: (561) 416-2855
www.SecuritiesLawyer101.com