\t\t\t\tThe US Securities and Exchange Commission has filed securities fraud charges against Nicholas Joseph Genovese. The regulator contends that the purported hedge fund manager and his Willow Creek Advisors LLC misappropriated at least six investors\u2019 money to pay for securities trading in his own brokerage account. Now, the SEC wants a temporary restraining order to freeze assets and stop further alleged violations.<\/p>\n
According to the Commission\u2019s complaint, Genovese misrepresented his previous experience in the securities industry and as a money manager, as well as the size of his business, including, that he:<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Oversaw $4B of the assets belonging to the Genovese Drug Store family.<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Ran Willow Creek Investments LP with $30B-$39B of assets under management when that figure was closer to less than $10M.<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Falsely stated that he and Willow Creek Advisors employed up to 60 people when the reality was closer to under 10.<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Claimed that his hedge fund made 30-40% investment gains annually when losses where what were actually incurred.<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Hid is criminal history, including, according to news sources, past convictions for forgery and grand larceny.<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Did not tell investors he previously filed for bankruptcy.<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Touted an education and professional history that he\u2019d fabricated, including that he was a former Goldman Sachs (GS) partner and an ex-Bear Stearns portfolio manager, as well as had earned an MBA from Dartmouth.<\/p>\n