Securities Lawyers Blog
The securities lawyers of Gana Weinstein LLP are investigating the regulatory and criminal investigations concerning the Platinum Partners LP Funds. The hedge funds include the Platinum Partners Value Arbitrage Funds and the Platinum Partners Credit Opportunities Fund.
In June, news sources began reporting that the New York-based hedge fund began liquidating its funds, after the firm’s longtime associate Murray Huberfeld (Huberfeld) was accused of arranging for a $60,000 bribe and kickback, in a Salvatore Ferragamo bag, to a correctional officers’ union official. The alleged bribe was a reward to Norman Seabrook, president of the New York City Correction Officers Benevolent Association, for directing the union’s retirement funds to investment with Platinum. The union official allegedly directed $20 million in union investments into the Platinum Partners Value Arbitrage Fund. In addition, Platinum and its chief investment officer, Mark Nordlicht, are also implicated in the probe. Both Seabrook and Huberfeld pleaded not guilty to the charges.
However, it is uncertain at this time if the bribe charges are the end of the story. Federal agents raided Platinum’s office in late June after the charges were announced for reasons reportedly separate from the bribery case. This has caused news sources to speculate as to a potentially wider fallout including the potential that the purported $1.35 billion funds may be involved in a scheme to defraud investors.