Securities Bulletin

              Prosecutors and law enforcement officers from throughout
Illinois attended the Securities Enforcement Conference on
April 26 at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago. Among
the attendees were representatives from five Illinois state
agencies, the Illinois House Speaker’s staff and the Senate
Democratic staff, as well as representatives from six federal
agencies, eight sheriff and state’s attorney offices and the
National Association of Securities Dealers.
Paul Greenwood, deputy district attorney from San Diego, CA
was the keynote speaker. His remarks focused on working with
elderly victims of financial fraud to bring about a conviction of
the perpetrator. Greenwood drew upon his 200 plus cases in
his nine years as head of the Elder Abuse Unit to give the
audience a new perspective on cases involving the elderly. He
noted that many law enforcement officers feel financial crimes
are less heinous than crimes involving physical violence. His
contention, however, is that when an elderly individual loses
their life savings, it often “shortens” their life by leaving them
depressed or even destitute. He encouraged conference
participants to be passionate in bringing aggressive
prosecution against financial fraud.
Securities Department Director Tanya Solov led a panel
discussion on how to investigate, prepare and prosecute a
fraud case. Joining her on the panel was Edward Carter,
deputy attorney general of Illinois for Financial Fraud, and
Gerald Paul, postal inspector for Central Illinois.
“I am very pleased with the success of this conference,” said
Secretary of State Jesse White. “The knowledge and expertise
of these experienced professionals will help us do everything
we can to protect the public from unscrupulous agents and
make sure perpetrators are prosecuted to the fullest extent of
the law.”
The Securities Department is planning a follow-up conference
next April.
SECURITIES bulletin
Our country has become a nation of investors.
More than ever before, people are investing in
record numbers. Unfortunately, con artists also
are setting records in the number of fraudulent
practices perpetrated against investors.
The Securities Department’s Enforcement
Division actively investigates hundreds of investor complaints
each year and vigorously pursues administrative actions and
assists in numerous criminal prosecutions. However, the best
line of defense against fraud is an educated, well-informed
investor. April was national Savings and Investing Month, and
the Securities Department joined many other organizations in
sponsoring events promoting investor education.
My office is committed to continuing investor education
throughout the year. I encourage you to take advantage of
the Securities Department’s resources, including free
investment seminars, student programs, investor education
presentations and printed materials, to help educate the
public about investing. To schedule a seminar or to order
materials, please call 800-628-7937 or the Spanish line at
888-231-1175.
Jesse White
Secretary of State
Summer 2002
Conference focuses on
fraud against the elderly
IN
THIS
ISSUE
• SECURITIES ENFORCEMENT CONFERENCE •
• INVESTOR EDUCATION MONTH •
• AUDIT DIVISION REPORT •
• FILING ONLINE THROUGH IARD •
• PODESCHI NAMED EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH •
A NEWSLETTER OF THE ILLINOIS SECURITIES DEPARTMENT • SECRETARY OF STATE JESSE WHITE
Tanya Solov, director of the Illinois Securities Department, presents Paul
Greenwood, deputy district attorney from San Diego, a personalized license
plate as a gesture of thanks for participating in the Securities Enforcement Seminar
in April.