U.S. Charges SAC Capital Unit in $276 Million Insider Trading Scheme

“Today’s record-setting insider trading case reinforces the cold, hard lesson of so many other recent cases that when you trade on inside information, you’re not just betting your money but also your career, your reputation, your financial security, and your liberty,” said Robert Khuzami, director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement, in a statement. “Now, yet another corrupt hedge fund manager has learned the high cost of ignoring that lesson.”

Sanjay Wadhwa, associate director of the SEC’s New York Regional Office and Deputy Chief of the Enforcement Division’s Market Abuse Unit, added in the same statement, “Today’s action against CR Intrinsic underscores our commitment to hold hedge fund advisory firms accountable when their employees break the law for the firms’ benefit. The clear message is that firms should adopt appropriate procedural safeguards and a culture of zero tolerance toward employee misconduct that could subject the firm to such serious consequences.”

The SEC’s complaint filed in federal court in Manhattan explains how the scheme worked. Martoma first met Gilman through paid consultations arranged by the expert network firm. Gilman provided Martoma with material nonpublic information concerning the Phase II trial of the potential Alzheimer’s drug called bapineuzumab (bapi). They coordinated their expert network consultations around scheduled safety monitoring committee meetings, and during their phone calls they discussed PowerPoint presentations made during the meetings and Gilman provided Martoma with his perspective on the results. Gilman developed a personal relationship with Martoma, eventually coming to view Martoma as a friend and pupil.

The SEC alleges that Martoma caused hedge funds managed by CR Intrinsic as well as hedge funds managed by an affiliated investment advisor to trade on the negative inside information he received from Gilman. “Although Elan and Wyeth’s shares rose on June 17, 2008, on the public release of top-line results of the Phase II trial, market participants were disappointed by the detailed final results issued on July 29, 2008. Double-digit declines in Elan and Wyeth shares ensued,” the complaint says.

“After Martoma was tipped, the hedge funds not only liquidated their combined long position in Elan and Wyeth of more than $700 million, but went on to hold substantial short positions in both securities. This massive repositioning allowed CR Intrinsic and the affiliated advisory firm to reap approximately $82 million in profits and $194 million in avoided losses for a total of more than $276 million in illicit gains,” the complaint says.

According to the SEC’s complaint, Martoma received a $9.3 million bonus at the end of 2008–a significant portion of which was attributable to the illegal profits that the hedge funds managed by CR Intrinsic and the other investment advisory firm had generated in this scheme. Gilman, who was generally paid $1,000 per hour as a consultant for the expert network firm, received more than $100,000 for his consultations with Martoma and others at the hedge fund advisory firms. Gilman also received approximately $79,000 from Elan for his consultations concerning bapi in 2007 and 2008.