SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.
Litigation Release No. 16070 / February 25, 1999
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION v. GÖRAN HEDÉN AND CERTAIN UNKNOWN
PURCHASERS OF COMMON STOCK OF PINKERTON’S, INC., Civil Action No. 99
Civ. 1418 (S.D.N.Y.)(filed February 24, 1999)
SEC OBTAINS FREEZE OF OVER $425,000 IN CONNECTION WITH ALLEGED FOREIGN
INSIDER TRADING IN PINKERTON’S, INC.
On February 24, 1999, the Commission filed a civil complaint in
the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
against Göran Hedén, a Swedish stockbroker with the firm of Den Norske
Bank, and certain unknown purchasers who were clients of that firm, in
connection the purchase on Friday, February 19, 1999, and the sale on
Monday, February 22, 1999, of common stock of Pinkerton’s, Inc.
Pinkerton is a California based company specializing in security and
protection services and products. The complaint alleges that the
defendants engaged in insider trading prior to the February 22, 1999
public announcement that Pinkerton would be acquired by Securitas AB, a
Swedish security and protection firm, in a cash tender offer. The
complaint alleges that the defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 14(e)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rules 10b-5 and 14e-3
thereunder. The Commission is seeking injunctive relief, disgorgement,
and civil penalties.
The complaint alleges that on Friday, February 19, 1999, the
defendants purchased a total of 15,000 shares of the common stock of
Pinkerton (defendant Hedén purchased 10,000 shares and the other
defendants purchased a total of 5,000 shares) at a cost of
approximately
$17 per share. On the morning of the next trading day, Monday,
February
22, 1999, Pinkerton and Securitas jointly announced Securitas plans to
acquire Pinkerton through a $29 per share cash tender offer.
Pinkerton’s stock rose to $28.68 that day. Defendants sold their
entire
Pinkerton holdings that day.
Simultaneously with the filing of the complaint, the Commission
applied for a court order temporarily freezing the assets in the
defendants’ accounts attributable to the trading in Pinkerton common
stock. Federal District Judge Shira Scheindlin issued an order
freezing
over $425,000 of sales proceeds, including approximately $175,000 in
allegedly illicit profits.
SNIPPETS:
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION v. GÖRAN HEDÉN AND CERTAIN UNKNOWN PURCHASERS OF COMMON
SEC OBTAINS FREEZE OF OVER $425,000 IN CONNECTION WITH ALLEGED FOREIGN INSIDER TRADING IN
On February 24, 1999, the Commission filed a civil complaint in the United States District
rvices and products.
The complaint alleges that the defendants engaged in insider trading prior to the February
The complaint alleges that on Friday, February 19, 1999, the defendants purchased a total of
Simultaneously with the filing of the complaint, the Commission applied for a court order
Federal District Judge Shira Scheindlin issued an order freezing over $425,000 of sales
The Commission wishes to acknowledge the assistance of the New York Stock Exchange and the
The Commission’s investigation in this matter is continuing.
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