From September 1999 until January 2005, Salvatore F. Sodano was the chairman and CEO of the American Stock Exchange (AMEX), a quasi-governmental, self-regulatory organization (SRO), which was a subsidiary of the NASD from 1998 through December 2004.
In September 2000, the SEC settled administrative proceedings against the AMEX (September 2000 order) based upon findings that the SRO failed to support critical customer-protection rules relating to firm quotes and trading ahead.
A June 2003 SEC investigation of AMEX determined that the SRO had failed to enhance and improve its regulatory enforcement programs as required by the September 2000 order. Subsequently, the SEC investigated Sodano's alleged failure to fulfill his responsibilities as an SRO officer.
In December 2004, following the sale of the AMEX, Sodano resigned as chairman and CEO in January and April 2005, respectively. He subsequently became dean of the Frank G. Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University in New York.
The Sleeping Cop?
On March 22, 2007, the SEC charged Sodano with failing to enforce compliance with the Exchange Act during his term as the AMEX's chairman and CEO.
The SEC alleged that the AMEX's regulatory deficiencies resulted in large part from Sodano's failure to pay adequate attention to regulation, to put in place an oversight structure, to ensure the regulatory staff was properly trained, and to dedicate sufficient resources to ensure that the AMEX was meeting its regulatory obligations. The SEC alleged that Sodano's inattention to — and apparent lack of interest in — regulation filtered down the management chain creating an environment in which regulation was not a priority and, therefore, compliance with the securities laws and the AMEX's rules were not enforced.
The only sanction sought by the SEC against Sodano was a censure pursuant to Section 19(h)(4) of the Exchange Act--from here on out 19(h)(4)--which provides the SEC with the authority “to remove from office or censure any officer or director of such self-regulatory organization [if] such officer or director has willfully violated any provision — willfully abused his authority, or without reasonable justification or excuse has failed to enforce compliance.”
Sounds like a pretty airtight case, no?
Well, actually, no.
Motion To Dismiss
Sodano and his crackerjack legal team came up with a novel (if not brilliant) motion to dismiss by arguing that the SEC lacked authority to proceed against him because 19(h)(4) only permits the SEC to censure, or remove, a current officer or director, and Sodano had not been an AMEX officer or director since April 2005 (some two years before the proceeding was instituted). Plainly stated, the defense was, “I quit before you filed, and there's nothing you can do to me as a former officer or director.”
Feeling Your Pain
Sodano noted that for stockbrokers and registered investment advisers, the respective Section 15 of the Exchange Act, and Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act, allow for a permanent bar against “any person who is associated, who is seeking to become associated, or, at the time of the alleged misconduct, was associated or was seeking to become associated” with a broker or dealer or investment adviser. For example, under Article V, Section 4 of the NASD By-Laws, the SRO may take up to two years after a registered person's termination before filing a complaint.
Despite the existence of two-year tolling provisions pertaining to SRO registered persons, Sodano argued that officers and executives of those SROs are subject to far different sanctions for their alleged misconduct. He argued that when Congress drafted and passed 19(h)(4), it limited the SEC's remedies to the removal or censure of a sitting officer or director.
In attempting to refute Sodano's statutory interpretation, the SEC staff urged a “common sense” reading of 19(h)(4). The staff protested that Sodano's interpretation would allow an SRO officer to “evade a censure simply by resigning as an officer or director.”
Strict Constructionist
On August 20, 2007, In the Matter of Salvatore F. Sodano, the SEC's Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) granted Sodano's motion and dismissed the charges because he found that 19(h)(4) does not provide for sanctioning a former officer or director. The ALJ noted that Congress has drafted many statutes that impose the ability to sanction individuals formerly associated with any number of entities. However, that was clearly not the case here, and the language of 19(h)(4) must be construed as written. The ALJ concluded that 19(h)(4) was intended to apply only to individuals presently in office.
Parting Shot
I have long advocated that regulators would be held to the same standards in their workplace as we the regulated are held to in ours. That would provide the industry's cops with a better feeling for the numbing, overwhelming impact of unfair and excessive regulation.
Just imagine. All regulators would have their employment and residential histories on a public database. All regulators would need to publicly disclose their criminal charges and convictions, their bankruptcies and other assorted miscues. Moreover, any time a regulator ran afoul of such obligations, he (or she) would have the unique and distinct privilege of hiring a fine young fellow such as myself, and the pleasure of mortgaging his home in order to pay my bill — even if it turns out that he subsequently proves his innocence.
What's the lesson of the Sodano case? I think we need to consider two points: First, not a single registered person in our industry can avoid SRO prosecution by quitting before FINRA files its charges. Second, I am still waiting for some SRO officer or director to call for the amendment to 19(h)(4) that will provide for the sanctioning of former SRO officers and directors within two years of their resignation or termination. You'll understand if I don't hold my breath.
Writer's BIO: Bill Singer practices law at Stark & Stark, and is the publisher of RRBDLAW.com
