UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
LITIGATION RELEASE NO. 16699 / September 14, 2000
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION V. BERNARD TAALIB-DIN HASAN, a/k/a
C. BERNARD CALDWELL, MARIA ELENA GONZALEZ, TDH UNLIMITED, INC. and
UNALAT, INC., CIVIL ACTION NO. H-00-3179, (USDC/SDTX/Houston Division)
SEC FILES LAWSUIT IN AFFINITY INVESTMENT SCHEME THAT TARGETED THE
HOUSTON HISPANIC COMMUNITY
The Securities and Exchange Commission announced that on September 13,
2000, it filed a civil lawsuit against Bernard Taalib-Din Hasan (a/k/a
C. Bernard Caldwell) ("Hasan") and Maria Elena Gonzalez, in an
affinity investment scheme that targeted the Houston Hispanic
community through advertisements on Latino radio stations, seminars,
and the Internet. According to the SEC's complaint, from 1993 through
January 1998, Hasan and his common-law wife, Gonzalez, raised
approximately $1.5 million from 223, mostly Hispanic, investors
through their two companies, TDH Unlimited, Inc., and Unalat, Inc.
Hasan and Gonzalez sold investments purportedly representing
participation interests in overseas trading of rice, diamonds, and
precious metals. The SEC alleges that, in connection with the offer
and sale of these securities, Hasan and Gonzalez made numerous
materially false and misleading statements to investors concerning the
rate of return on the investment, the risks associated with the
investment, and their receipt of undisclosed commissions. In May 1998,
TDH and Unalat defaulted and ceased making any principal or interest
payments to investors, resulting in investor losses of approximately
$860,000.
The defendants in the SEC lawsuit are
Bernard Taalib-Din Hasan (Hasan has also been known by the alias C.
Bernard Caldwell) age 50, is a resident of Houston, Texas. Hasan and
Gonzalez controlled TDH and Unalat at all relevant times.
Maria Elena Gonzalez, age 48, is a resident of League City, Texas.
Hasan and Gonzalez were each indicted by Harris County Grand Jury in
July 1999, on charges related to this investment scheme. They are
currently being held in the Harris County jail.
TDH Unlimited, Inc., a Texas corporation with its principal place of
business in Houston, Texas, was incorporated on July 27, 1989. TDH
offers a variety of financial services to the Hispanic community.
Hasan is TDH's president, and Hasan and Gonzalez are the controlling
shareholders.
SNIPPETS:
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION V. BERNARD TAALIB-DIN HASAN, a/k/a C. BERNARD CALDWELL,
SEC FILES LAWSUIT IN AFFINITY INVESTMENT SCHEME THAT TARGETED THE HOUSTON HISPANIC COMMUNITY
The Securities and Exchange Commission announced that on September 13, 2000, it filed a civil
According to the SEC's complaint, from 1993 through January 1998, Hasan and his common-law
In May 1998, TDH and Unalat defaulted and ceased making any principal or interest payments to
Maria Elena Gonzalez, age 48, is a resident of League City, Texas.
Hasan and Gonzalez were each indicted by Harris County Grand Jury in July 1999, on charges
and Hasan and Gonzalez are the controlling shareholders.
Unalat is controlled by Hasan and Gonzalez and purportedly engaged in the "overseas trading"
In settlement of the SEC's charges, Hasan, Gonzalez, TDH and Unalat have consent to the entry
The final judgment also orders the defendants to disgorge $857,686, plus $147,223 in
Investors are advised to read the SEC's "Affinity Fraud" Investor Alert which provides tips
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