UNITED STATES

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

  

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 20, 2018

  

CHINA UNITED INSURANCE SERVICE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware   000-54884   30-0826400
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)   (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.

 

 

7F, No. 311 Section 3, Nan-King East Road, Taipei City, Taiwan

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

+8862-87126958

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

   

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d 2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company ¨

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

 

 

 

 

 

  

Item 8.01. Other Events

 

China United Insurance Services, Inc. (“CUIS” or the “Company”) and Cheng-Hsiung Huang (“Mr. Huang”), one of CUIS’s former employees, have agreed to settle fraud charges brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) relating to a scheme to manipulate the Company's trading volume. Neither the Company nor Mr. Huang realized financial gain from the scheme and both CUIS and Mr. Huang substantially cooperated with the SEC’s investigation into the activities that led the SEC to bring the fraud charges.

 

The SEC’s complaint (the “SEC’s Complaint”) alleges that, from approximately December 2013 through March 2018, the Company and Mr. Huang schemed to deceive the investing public and Nasdaq, for the purpose of obtaining a listing on Nasdaq, that the trading volume in the Company's common stock was derived from bona fide market activity. Mr. Huang, acting on the Company's behalf, used multiple brokerage accounts to engage in numerous transactions in the Company's common stock. When Mr. Huang's trading was flagged by a U.S.-based brokerage firm for high volume and possible prearranged trading and several of the accounts were frozen, Mr. Huang and two colleagues contacted the brokerage firm and made false statements about their identities, their relation to the Company and their reasons for trading.

 

The SEC's Complaint alleges that the Company and Mr. Huang violated the antifraud provisions of Section 17(a) of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 10(b) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. Without admitting or denying the allegations in the complaint, both CUIS and Mr. Huang agreed to the entry of a final judgment (the “Proposed Final Judgment”) that enjoins them from violating the charged provisions of the federal securities laws, orders the Company to comply with its undertaking to retain an independent compliance monitor for a period of not less than one year, and orders Mr. Huang to pay a penalty of $30,000. Based upon the Company's substantial cooperation with the SEC’s investigation, the SEC is not seeking a monetary penalty against the Company.

 

The SEC’s Complaint, the Proposed Final Judgment and documents ancillary thereto were filed on December 20, 2018 with the United States District Court for the Sothern District of New York (the “District Court”). As of the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K (this “8-K”), the District Court has not entered its final judgment with respect to the matters set forth in this Current Report. When additional information becomes available, the Company will file an amended Current Report reporting such information.

 

The SEC Complaint, the Proposed Final Judgment, the Company’s Consent and Mr. Huang’s Consent are attached hereto as Exhibits 99.1, 99.2, 99.3 and 99.4, respectively, and are incorporated by reference into this Current Report.

 

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Current Report includes information that constitutes forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements often contain words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate” “intend,” or “will,” although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. By their nature, forward-looking statements address matters that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Examples of such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements of our expectations regarding the matters described above.

 

These forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs, assumptions and expectations concerning future events, which, in turn, are based on information currently available to the Company. Such forward-looking statements include actions taken by the Company, the SEC or the District Court with respect to the matters covered by this Current Report . Although we believe that the expectations underlying any of these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these expectations may prove to be incorrect and all of these statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. A variety of factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or contemplated by the forward-looking statements including, without limitation, additional information that may become known to the Company in connection with the matters that are the subject of this Current Report or that subsequent events may occur that require the Company to take additional action with respect thereto.

 

All forward-looking statements included in this Form 8-K are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement except to the extent required by applicable securities laws.

 

Item 9.01  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit   Description
99.1   Complaint Dated December 20, 2018, filed with the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Plaintiff, against China United Insurance Service, Inc. and Cheng-Hsiung Huang, Defendants; Civil Action No. 18; CV: 12055
     
99.2   [Proposed] Final Judgment Dated December 20, 2018, filed with the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Plaintiff, against China United Insurance Service, Inc. and Cheng-Hsiung Huang, Defendants; Civil Action No. 18; CV: 12055
     
99.3   Consent, Dated November 29, 2018, of  Defendant China United Insurance Service, Inc. with respect to Civil Action No. 18; CV: 12055, filed with the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Plaintiff, against China United Insurance Service, Inc. and Cheng-Hsiung Huang, Defendants;
     
99.4   Consent, Dated December 6, 2018, of  Defendant Cheng-Hsiung Huang with respect to Civil Action No. 18; CV: 12055, filed with the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Plaintiff, against China United Insurance Service, Inc. and Cheng-Hsiung Huang, Defendants;

 

 

 

  

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

CHINA UNITED INSURANCE SERVICE, INC.

 

   
Date: December 26, 2018       
   
By: /s/ Yi-Hsiao Mao  
Name: Yi-Hsiao Mao  
Title:    Chief Executive Officer  

  

 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit   Description
99.1   Complaint Dated December 20, 2018, filed with the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Plaintiff, against China United Insurance Service, Inc. and Cheng-Hsiung Huang, Defendants; Civil Action No. 18; CV: 12055
     
99.2   [Proposed] Final Judgment Dated December 20, 2018, filed with the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Plaintiff, against China United Insurance Service, Inc. and Cheng-Hsiung Huang, Defendants; Civil Action No. 18; CV: 12055
     
99.3   Consent, Dated November 29, 2018, of  Defendant China United Insurance Service, Inc. with respect to Civil Action No. 18; CV: 12055, filed with the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Plaintiff, against China United Insurance Service, Inc. and Cheng-Hsiung Huang, Defendants;
     
99.4   Consent, Dated December 6, 2018, of  Defendant Cheng-Hsiung Huang with respect to Civil Action No. 18; CV: 12055, filed with the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Plaintiff, against China United Insurance Service, Inc. and Cheng-Hsiung Huang, Defendants;

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

 

     
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, :  
  :  
Plaintiff, : Civil Action No. 18:CV:12055
  :  
v. :  
  : ECF CASE
CHINA UNITED INSURANCE SERVICE, INC., :  
  :  
& :  
  :  
CHENG-HSIUNG HUANG, :  
  :  
Defendants. :  
     

 

COMPLAINT

 

Plaintiff Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) alleges:

 

SUMMARY

 

1.       This case involves a fraudulent scheme in which Defendants, an SEC-registered issuer and one of its employees, manipulated the market in the issuer’s securities to create a false impression about the trading volume of the securities, i.e. , to suggest falsely that the market for the stock was far more active than it really was.

 

2.       From approximately December of 2013 through March of 2018, Defendants China United Insurance Service, Inc. (“CUII”) and Cheng-Hsiung Huang (“Huang”), a CUII employee, used multiple brokerage accounts, some in Huang’s name and others held in the names of nominees but controlled by Huang, to engage in numerous transactions in CUII securities, including wash sales and other manipulative conduct, in connection with over-the-counter transactions in CUII securities.

 

 

 

 

3.       Acting on behalf of and for the benefit of CUII, Huang used the accounts to trade in CUII securities hundreds of times, all for the purpose of creating the false impression that there was an active, substantial market in CUII securities.

 

4.       Acting on behalf of and for the benefit of CUII, Huang also executed wash sales – the practice of simultaneously buying and selling an issuer’s stock at the same price, with no change in beneficial ownership – for the same purpose.

 

5.       In addition to intending the create the false impression of higher trading volume, Huang believed that his trading activity would benefit CUII by making it appear that CUII had met eligibility requirements for listing on the national stock exchange Nasdaq.

 

6.       When one of the U.S.-based online brokerages suspended accounts that Huang controlled based on suspicions over the trading in CUII securities, Huang called the brokerage in an effort to re-activate his accounts, and he made a series of false statements and denied that he had a relationship with CUII. Huang also asked two other CUII employees to make similar misleading statements to the brokerage, which they did.

 

7.       Thus, CUII and Huang, directly or indirectly, singly or in concert with others, violated, and unless restrained and enjoined will again violate, Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) [15 U.S.C. § 78j(b)] and Rules 10b-5(a) and (c) thereunder [17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5] and Sections 17(a)(1) and 17(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”) [15 U.S.C. § 77q(a)].

 

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JURISDICTION AND VENUE

 

8.       This Court has jurisdiction over this action pursuant to Sections 20 and 22 of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. §§ 77t & 77v] and Sections 21(d), 21(e), and 27 of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. §§ 78u(d), 78u(e), & 78aa].

 

9.       Venue in this district is proper pursuant to Section 22 of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. § 77v] and Section 27 of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78aa] because certain of the acts and transactions set forth in this Complaint occurred within this district, including the fact that many of the securities transactions at issue were executed through market makers and other brokers based in New York, New York.

 

DEFENDANTS

 

10.     China United Insurance Service, Inc. (“CUII”) is a Taipei, Taiwan-based company, incorporated in Delaware. CUII provides insurance products in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the People’s Republic of China. CUII has a class of securities registered with the SEC pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act, which at all relevant times were quoted on the Over The Counter Bulletin Board and/or OTC Markets quotation systems.

 

11.     Cheng-Hsiung Huang (“Huang”), age 43, is a citizen and resident of Taiwan. At all times relevant to the allegations in this Complaint, Huang was employed in Taiwan by CUII, most recently as a manager with significant and broad-ranging responsibilities.

 

FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS

 

Background

 

12.     CUII conducts its business in Taiwan primarily through an operating subsidiary (“Subsidiary”).

 

  3  

 

 

13.     During the relevant period, Huang reported directly to a senior employee of Subsidiary (“Senior Employee”) and had significant, broad ranging responsibility at CUII, including dealing with Taiwanese regulators, shareholder meetings and overseeing stock transfer records.

 

14.     During the relevant period (in or about December 2013 through in or about March 2018), CUII’s securities were quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board and/or OTC Markets quotation systems, and were thinly traded.

 

Huang Begins Trading to Improve CUII’s Trading Volume

 

15.     In late 2013, Senior Employee asked Huang to address the issue of CUII’s low trading volume.

 

16.     Huang decided that to address CUII’s low trading volume, beginning in or about December 2013, he would begin trading in CUII securities.

 

17.     Over the course of the relevant period, Huang conducted his trading using seven accounts he opened with online brokerages based in the United States. Four of the accounts were in Huang’s name and three were in the names of others.

 

18.     At all times, Huang controlled the accounts and all trading activity in them, and was the only person with control over the accounts.

 

19.     Huang requested money from Senior Employee, which he then used to trade in CUII securities. Senior Employee provided Huang with cash multiple times during the relevant period, totaling approximately $234,000.

 

20.     Huang did not receive payment for conducting this trading, nor did he personally realize any profits from his trading activity. Rather, Huang undertook his trading for the purpose of benefiting CUII. Huang considered his trading to be within the scope of his employment duties.

 

  4  

 

 

21.     Huang’s trading activity in the seven accounts he controlled was almost exclusively in CUII stock.

 

22.     From on or about December 1, 2013 through September 14, 2017, Huang traded CUII securities in those seven accounts on a sporadic basis, but when he did trade he was at times the dominant trader in the market for CUII stock.

 

23.     For example, during the period from January 1, 2017 through February 28, 2017, there was trading in CUII securities on only 15 of the 39 trading days. Huang engaged in trading of CUII securities on 12 of those 15 days, buying 18,176 shares of CUII stock and selling 16,282 shares of CUII stock. Huang’s trading accounted for more than 50 percent of the total volume of 27,334 CUII shares traded during that time.

 

24.     As he and CUII intended, Huang’s trading during this period created the false impression that there was substantially more legitimate demand for CUII securities than was actually the case.

 

Huang Uses Wash Trades and Other Manipulative Trading to
Support CUII’s Nasdaq Application

 

25.     On September 18, 2017, CUII applied for listing on the Nasdaq Global Markets, a market tier of the national stock exchange Nasdaq. CUII later modified its application to seek listing on Nasdaq Capital Markets, another Nasdaq market tier. An issuer must meet certain eligibility requirements to be listed on Nasdaq Global Markets or Nasdaq Capital Markets, such as maintaining certain minimum bid or closing price levels.

 

26.     At or about the time CUII applied for listing on Nasdaq Capital Markets, Senior Employee discussed the issue of Huang increasing trading in CUII securities in order to support CUII’s Nasdaq application, though Senior Employee was not aware how Huang would address the issue.

 

  5  

 

 

27.     Huang subsequently increased his trading. Beginning on September 18, 2017, and continuing through March 15, 2018, the frequency of Huang’s trading in CUII’s securities increased markedly, and trading by Huang in his seven accounts made up a high percentage of that increased trading volume.

 

28.     For instance, during the period of September 18, 2017, through October 31, 2017, CUII securities traded on each of the 32 trading days, with Huang representing a large percentage of that trading, and on 12 trading days, all of the trading. Of the 25,414 CUII shares traded during that period, Huang bought 17,476 shares and sold 16,082 shares.

 

29.     Many of the orders Huang placed between September 18, 2017 through March 15, 2018 were at prices at or above the minimum bid levels needed to support CUII’s Nasdaq application.

 

30.     Many of Huang’s trades during that period were wash trades, in which he placed a buy or sell order for CUII shares in one account, and placed a corresponding sell or buy order for the same number of CUII shares at the same price in the same account or in one of the six other accounts he controlled. Because Huang controlled all of the accounts and was the beneficial owner of each, his corresponding orders did not result in any actual change in beneficial ownership of the securities.

 

31.     For instance, on October 4, 2017, using an account held in his name, Huang placed a day limit order to purchase 300 CUII shares at a limit price of $3.98 per share. Less than three minutes later, Huang used a different account held in his name to place a day limit order to sell 300 CUII shares at $3.98 per share. Based on available trading records, at 3:16:34 p.m., Huang’s orders were executed against one another for 300 CUII shares at an execution price of $3.98 per share, with the orders being handled by a market maker in New York City.

 

  6  

 

 

32.     On January 29, 2018, using an account held in his name, Huang placed a day limit order to purchase 200 CUII shares at a limit price of $3.10 per share. Less than one hour later, at 11:06:08 a.m., Huang used a different account held in his name to place a day limit order to sell 200 CUII shares at a limit price of $3.10 per share. Based on available trading records, at 11:06:18 a.m., Huang’s orders were executed against one another for 200 CUII shares at an execution price of $3.10 per share.

 

33.     Beginning one minute after that trade was executed on January 29, 2018, Huang used the same two accounts, held in his name, to replicate the same orders. In one account, Huang placed a day limit order to purchase 200 CUII shares at $3.10 per share at 11:07:51 a.m. An hour later, at 12:15:33 p.m., Huang used another account held in his name to place a day limit order to sell 200 CUII shares at a limit price of $3.10. Based on available trading records, at 12:15:39 p.m., Huang’s orders were executed against one another for 200 CUII shares at an execution price of $3.10 per share, with the orders being handled in part by a market maker in New York City.

 

34.     A short time later on January 29, 2018, at 12:26:53 p.m., Huang placed a day limit order to purchase 100 shares at $3.35 per share. Less than a minute later, at 12:27:05 p.m., using an account titled in the name of another employee of CUII but which Huang controlled, Huang placed a day limit order to sell 100 shares at a limit price of $3.30 per share. Based on available trading records, at 12:27:17 p.m., Huang’s orders were executed against one another for 100 shares at an execution price of $3.35 per share, with the orders being handled in part by a market maker in New York City.

 

  7  

 

 

35.     During the relevant time period, Huang used his accounts to engage in dozens of wash trades in CUII securities.

 

36.     Huang’s trading activity during this period, engaged in on behalf of and for the benefit of CUII, created the false impression that there was a legitimate and substantial market for CUII securities, including at prices required for Nasdaq eligibility.

 

37.     Huang’s trading activity during this period was not undertaken for any legitimate economic purpose, and, on aggregate, Huang lost money on his trading in CUII stock.

 

The Trading Scheme is Uncovered

 

38.     In March 2018, a U.S.-based online brokerage service flagged several accounts used by Huang for high volume trading and possible prearranged trading in CUII shares. The online brokerage service froze the accounts and contacted Huang and the nominal account holders to verify certain information — e.g. , their employment, trading strategy, and whether they had any connection to CUII.

 

39.     Huang contacted the online brokerage service for the purpose of unfreezing his account and falsely stated that his employment was importing Chinese merchandise for sale in Taiwan, that his trades were part of a larger strategy, and that he had no relationship with CUII, but instead watched the company closely as it did business in his home country.

 

40.     Huang asked two colleagues at CUII to contact the online brokerage service for the purpose of unfreezing the accounts controlled by Huang but held in the names of others. The CUII employees made the phone calls, during which they each made false statements about their identity, employment, source of income, reason for buying CUII shares, and relationship with CUII. The calls were recorded as part of the online brokerage’s normal business practices.

 

  8  

 

 

41.     After these calls, the online brokerage briefly released the freeze on the accounts, but ultimately closed the accounts.

 

42.     In or about March 2018, the unusual trading patterns in CUII’s stock came to the attention of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), which began an investigation.

 

43.     CUII contacted its counsel prior to replying to FINRA, and counsel conducted an internal investigation, including interviewing Huang and Senior Employee. Counsel for CUII reported their findings to FINRA, and requested assistance in contacting staff for the SEC.

 

44.     CUII cooperated substantially with the SEC’s investigation, including by producing trading data for Huang’s accounts, making employees in Taiwan available on short notice for interviews, and promptly reporting the findings of its internal review. CUII acknowledged the trading scheme undertaken for its benefit and took remedial action, including taking personnel action, making changes to training and internal controls and undertaking to appoint an outside compliance monitor. Huang also cooperated substantially with the SEC’s investigation and did not realize personal gain from the violative trading activity.

 

FIRST CLAIM FOR RELIEF

 

Defendants Violated Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and

Rules 10b-5(a) and 10b-5(c) Thereunder

 

45.     Paragraphs 1 through 44 are re-alleged and incorporated herein by reference.

 

46.     Defendants, in connection with the purchase or sale of a security, by the use of means or instrumentalities of interstate commerce, of the mails, or of the facilities of a national securities exchange, directly or indirectly, with scienter: (1) employed devices, schemes, or artifices to defraud; and (2) engaged in acts, practices, or courses of business which operated or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any person.

 

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47.     By engaging in the conduct described above, Defendants violated, and unless restrained and enjoined will again violate, Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78j(b)] and Rules 10b-5(a) and 10b-5(c) thereunder [17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5].

 

SECOND CLAIM FOR RELIEF

 

Defendants Violated Sections 17(a)(1) and 17(a)(3) of the Securities Act

 

48.     Paragraphs 1 through 44 are re-alleged and incorporated herein by reference.

 

49.     Defendants, in the offer or sale of securities and by the use of means or instruments of transportation or communication in interstate commerce or by the use of the mails, directly or indirectly: (1) with scienter, employed devices, schemes, or artifices to defraud; and (2) with negligence, engaged in transactions, practices, or courses of business which operated or would have operated as a fraud or deceit upon the purchaser of a security.

 

50.     By engaging in the conduct described above, Defendants violated, and unless restrained and enjoined will again violate, Sections 17(a)(1) and 17(a)(3) of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. § 77q(a)].

 

PRAYER FOR RELIEF

 

WHEREFORE, the SEC respectfully requests that the Court enter a Final Judgment:

 

A.      Permanently restraining and enjoining CUII and Huang, and their agents, servants, employees, attorneys, and all persons in active concert or participation with them who receive actual notice of this injunction by personal service or otherwise, from violating the securities statutes and rule set forth in this Complaint;

 

B.      Ordering Defendant Huang to pay civil penalties pursuant to Section 20(d) of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. § 77t(d)] and Section 21(d)(3) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78u(d)(3)]; and

 

  10  

 

 

C.       Granting such other and further relief as the Court deems just and appropriate.

 

Dated:    December 20, 2018 Respectfully submitted,
  Washington, DC  
    /s/ Derek S. Bentsen
  Derek S. Bentsen (Bar No. DB8369)
  Thomas A. Bednar
  Gary M. Zinkgraf
  Securities and Exchange Commission
  100 F Street, N.E.
  Washington, DC 20549
  Telephone: (202) 551-6426 (Bentsen)
  (202) 551-6218 (Bednar)
  Facsimile: (202) 772-9282
  Email: bentsend@sec.gov
  bednart@sec.gov
   
  Attorneys for Plaintiff Securities and
  Exchange Commission
   
Of Counsel:  
   
Anita Bandy  
Jeffrey P. Weiss  
Securities and Exchange Commission  
100 F Street, N.E.  
Washington, DC 20549  

 

  11  

 

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

     
  :  
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, :  
  :  
Plaintiff, : Civil Action No. 18:CV:12055
  :  
v. :  
  : ECF CASE

CHINA UNITED INSURANCE SERVICE, INC.,

:  
  : [PROPOSED] FINAL JUDGMENT
& :  
  :  
CHENG-HSIUNG HUANG, :  
  :  
Defendants. :  
     

 

FINAL JUDGMENT AS TO DEFENDANTS CHINA UNITED

INSURANCE SERVICE, INC. AND CHENG-HSIUNG HUANG

 

The Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) having filed a Complaint and Defendants China United Insurance Service, Inc. (“Defendant CUII”) and Cheng-Hsiung Huang (“Defendant Huang”) ( collectively “Defendants”) having entered a general appearance; consented to the Court’s jurisdiction over Defendants and the subject matter of this action; consented to entry of this Final Judgment without admitting or denying the allegations of the Complaint (except as to jurisdiction and except as to Paragraph V for Defendant Huang); waived findings of fact and conclusions of law; and waived any right to appeal from this Final Judgment:

 

 

 

 

I.

 

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that Defendants are permanently restrained and enjoined from violating, directly or indirectly, Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) [15 U.S.C. § 78j(b)] and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder [17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5], by using any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce, or of the mails, or of any facility of any national securities exchange, in connection with the purchase or sale of any security:

 

(a) to employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud;

 

(b) to make any untrue statement of a material fact or to omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; or

 

(c) to engage in any act, practice, or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any person.

 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that, as provided in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(d)(2), the foregoing paragraph also binds the following who receive actual notice of this Final Judgment by personal service or otherwise: (a) Defendants’ officers, agents, servants, employees, and attorneys; and (b) other persons in active concert or participation with Defendants or with anyone described in (a).

 

II.

 

IT IS HEREBY FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that Defendants are permanently restrained and enjoined from violating Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) [15 U.S.C. § 77q(a)] in the offer or sale of any security by the use of any means or instruments of transportation or communication in interstate commerce or by use of the mails, directly or indirectly:

 

(1) to employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud;

 

(2) to obtain money or property by means of any untrue statement of a material fact or any omission to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

or

 

  2  

 

 

 

(3) to engage in any transaction, practice, or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon the purchaser.

 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that, as provided in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(d)(2), the foregoing paragraph also binds the following who receive actual notice of this Final Judgment by personal service or otherwise: (a) Defendants’ officers, agents, servants, employees, and attorneys; and (b) other persons in active concert or participation with Defendants or with anyone described in (a).

 

III.

 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that Defendant Huang shall pay a civil penalty in the amount of $30,000 U.S. dollars pursuant to Section 20(d) of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. § 77t(d)] and Section 21(d)(3) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78u(d)(3)]. Defendant Huang shall make this payment pursuant to the terms of the payment schedule set forth below.

 

Defendant Huang may transmit payment electronically to the Commission, which will provide detailed ACH transfer/Fedwire instructions upon request. Payment may also be made directly from a bank account via Pay.gov through the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov/about/offices/ofm.htm . Defendant Huang may also pay by certified check, bank cashier’s check, or United States postal money order payable to the Securities and Exchange Commission, which shall be delivered or mailed to:

 

  3  

 

 

Enterprise Services Center

Accounts Receivable Branch

6500 South MacArthur Boulevard

Oklahoma City, OK 73169

 

and shall be accompanied by a letter identifying the case title, civil action number, and name of this Court; Defendant Huang as a defendant in this action; and specifying that payment is made pursuant to this Final Judgment.

 

Defendant Huang shall simultaneously transmit photocopies of evidence of payment and case identifying information to the Commission’s counsel in this action. By making this payment, Defendant Huang relinquishes all legal and equitable right, title, and interest in such funds and no part of the funds shall be returned to Defendant Huang. The Commission shall send the funds paid pursuant to this Final Judgment to the United States Treasury. Defendant Huang shall pay post-judgment interest on any delinquent amounts pursuant to 28 USC § 1961.

 

Defendant Huang shall pay the penalty due of $30,000 in 4 installments to the Commission according to the following schedule: (1) $15,000 within 7 days of entry of this Final Judgment; (2) $5,000 within 120 days entry of this Final Judgment; (3) $5,000 within 240 days of this Final Judgment; and (4) $5,000 within 364 days of this Final Judgment. Payments shall be deemed made on the date they are received by the Commission and shall be applied first to post judgment interest, which accrues pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1961 on any unpaid amounts due after 14 days of the entry of Final Judgment. Prior to making the final payment set forth herein, Defendant Huang shall contact the staff of the Commission for the amount due for the final payment. If Defendant Huang fails to make any payment by the date agreed and/or in the amount agreed according to the schedule set forth above, all outstanding payments under this Final Judgment, including post-judgment interest, minus any payments made, shall become due and payable immediately at the discretion of the staff of the Commission without further application to the Court.

 

  4  

 

 

IV.

 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that the Consent is incorporated herein with the same force and effect as if fully set forth herein, and that Defendants shall comply with the undertaking and agreement set forth therein, including, but not limited to, the undertaking to:

 

1. Defendant CUII shall retain an Independent Compliance Monitor (the “Independent Monitor”), not unacceptable to the Commission staff, for a period of not less than 1 year and concluding no later than December 31, 2019, pursuant to a written agreement (the “Independent Monitor Agreement”). The jurisdiction of the Independent Monitor shall include: (a) reviewing and considering the implementation of new policies and procedures at Defendant CUII; (b) determining whether policies and procedures are adequate and properly tailored for Defendant CUII; (c) reviewing and approving of the education and training program at Defendant CUII and considering sufficient scope and appropriate content; (d) reviewing and approving of Defendant CUII’s monitoring, testing and reporting mechanisms; (e) reviewing and approving of Defendant CUII’s commitment to compliance including senior management and board level awareness of compliance issues; (f) reviewing and approving of Defendant CUII’s allocation of resources for compliance program, including whether resources are sufficient and properly tailored; (g) certifying and approving of Defendant CUII’s compliance program within 12 months, including an interim written report in 120 to 180 days; (h) and a final written report to the Commission staff no later than December 31, 2019. The Independent Monitor Agreement shall, among, other things, describe the authority and responsibilities of the Independent Monitor and the obligations of Defendant CUII with respect to the Independent Consultant, including the following:

 

  5  

 

 

a. The Independent Monitor may retain a law firm as attorney to the Independent Monitor. In addition, the Independent Monitor may, upon motion, seek authority from the Court to engage and employ persons in its discretion to assist in carrying out its duties and responsibilities hereunder, including, but not limited to, accountants, attorneys, financial or business advisers, and forensic experts.

 

b. Defendant CUII shall cooperate fully with the Independent Monitor in the discharge of the Independent Monitor’s responsibilities. Among other things, Defendant CUII shall provide all information requested by the Independent Monitor reasonably relevant to the Independent Monitor’s responsibilities. Additionally, Defendant CUII shall promptly implement the Independent Monitor’s recommendations. Defendant CUII or the Commission may petition the Court for resolution of any disputes concerning the Independent Monitor’s activities, authorities, determinations or responsibilities, or over Defendant CUII’s implementation of the Independent Monitor’s recommendations.
     
  c. Defendant CUII shall retain the Independent Monitor (after consulting with the Commission staff and determining that the proposed Independent Monitor is not unacceptable to the Commission staff) and execute the Independent Monitor Agreement and have the Independent Monitor in place no later than December 31, 2018, and Defendant CUII shall provide the Commission staff a copy of the duly executed Independent Monitor Agreement within 30 days of execution of the agreement.

 

  6  

 

 

 

d. The Independent Monitor shall submit: 1) an interim written status report to the Commission staff regarding the status of the Independent Monitor’s performance of its responsibilities between 120 days and no later than 180 days of the date of execution of the Independent Monitor Agreement, and then a final report at the 365 day mark but no later than December 31, 2019, to the Commission staff regarding the discharge of the Independent Monitor’s responsibilities and Defendant CUII’s implementation of the Independent Monitor’s recommendations.

 

e. The Independent Monitor shall enter into an agreement with Defendant CUII providing that, for the period of engagement and for a period of two years from completion of the engagement, the Independent Monitor shall not enter into any employment, consultant, attorney-client, auditing or other professional relationship with Defendant CUII, or any of its present or former affiliates, subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees, or agents acting in their capacity as such. The agreement will also provide that the Independent Monitor will require that any firm with which it is affiliated or of which it is a member, and any person engaged to assist it in performance of its duties under this Judgment shall not, without prior written consent of the Court, enter into any employment, consultant, attorney-client, auditing or other professional relationship with Defendant CUII, or any of its present or former affiliates, subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees, or agents acting in their capacity as such for the period of the engagement and for a period of two years after the engagement;
     
  f. Defendant CUII shall provide reasonable compensation to the Independent Monitor relating to fees and expenses, as agreed to by the parties.

 

  7  

 

 

 

g. The reports by the Independent Monitor will likely include confidential financial, proprietary, competitive business or commercial information. Public disclosure of the reports could discourage cooperation, impede pending or potential government investigations or undermine the objectives of the reporting requirement. For these reasons, among others, the reports and contents thereof are intended to remain and shall remain non-public, except (1) pursuant to a court order, (2) as agreed to by the parties in writing, (3) to the extent that the Commission determines in its sole discretion that disclosure would be in furtherance of the Commission’s discharge of its duties and responsibilities, or (4) is otherwise required by law.
     
  h. Defendant CUII shall certify in writing, compliance with the undertaking set forth above. The certification shall identify the undertaking, provide written evidence of compliance in the form of a narrative, and be supported by exhibits sufficient to demonstrate compliance. The Commission staff may make reasonable requests for further evidence of compliance, and Defendant CUII agrees to provide such evidence. Defendant CUII shall submit the certification and supporting material to Jeffrey Weiss, with a copy to the Office of Chief Counsel of the Enforcement Division, no later than sixty (60) days from the date of the completion of the undertaking.

 

  8  

 

 

 

V.

 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that, for purposes of exceptions to discharge set forth in Section 523 of the Bankruptcy Code [11 U.S.C. § 523], the allegations in the complaint are true and admitted by Defendant Huang, and further, any debt for disgorgement, prejudgment interest, civil penalty or other amounts due by Defendant Huang under this Final Judgment or any other judgment, order, consent order, decree or settlement agreement entered in connection with this proceeding, is a debt for the violation by Defendant Huang of the federal securities laws or any regulation or order issued under such laws, as set forth in Section 523(a)(19) of the Bankruptcy Code [11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(19)].

 

VI.

 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that this Court shall retain jurisdiction of this matter for the purposes of enforcing the terms of this Final Judgment.

 

Dated: ______________, _____

 

   
   
  UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

 

  9  

 

Exhibit 99.3

 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

 

     
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, :  
  :  
Plaintiff, : Civil Action No. 18:CV:12055
  :  
v. :  
  : ECF CASE
CHINA UNITED INSURANCE SERVICE, INC., :  
  :  
& :  
  :  
CHENG-HSIUNG HUANG, :  
  :  
Defendants. :  
     

 

CONSENT OF DEFENDANT CHINA UNITED INSURANCE SERVICE, INC.

 

1.       Defendant China United Insurance Service, Inc. (“Defendant”) waives service of a summons and the Complaint in this action, enters a general appearance, and admits the Court’s jurisdiction over Defendant and over the subject matter of this action.

 

2.       Without admitting or denying the allegations of the complaint (except as provided herein in paragraph 11 and except as to personal and subject matter jurisdiction, which Defendant admits), Defendant hereby consents to the entry of the final Judgment in the form attached hereto (the “Final Judgment”) and incorporated by reference herein, which, among other things:

 

a. permanently restrains and enjoins Defendant from violating Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) (15 U.S.C. § 78j(b)] and Rules 10b-5 thereunder (17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5] and Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”) [15 U.S.C, § 77q(a)].

 

  1  

 

 

b. orders Defendant to retain an Independent Compliance Monitor (the “Independent Monitor”), not unacceptable to the Commission staff, for a period of not less than 1 year and concluding no later than December 31, 2019, pursuant to a written agreement (the “Independent Monitor Agreement”). The jurisdiction of the Independent Monitor shall include: (a) reviewing and considering the implementation of new policies and procedures at Defendant; (b) determining whether policies and procedures are adequate and properly tailored for Defendant; (c) reviewing and approving of the education and training program at Defendant and considering sufficient scope and appropriate content; (d) reviewing and approving of Defendant’s monitoring, testing and reporting mechanisms; (e) reviewing and approving of Defendant’s commitment to compliance including senior management and board level awareness of compliance issues; (f) reviewing and approving of Defendant’s allocation of resources for compliance program, including whether resources are sufficient and properly tailored; (g) certifying and approving of Defendant’s compliance program within 12 months, including an interim written report in 120 to 180 days; and (h) a final written report to the Commission staff no later than December 31, 2019. The Independent Monitor Agreement shall, among, other things, describe the authority and responsibilities of the Independent Monitor and the obligations of Defendant with respect to the Independent Consultant, including the following:

 

  2  

 

 

i. The Independent Monitor may retain a law firm as attorney to the Independent Monitor. In addition, the Independent Monitor may, upon motion, seek authority from the Court to engage and employ persons in its discretion to assist in carrying out its duties and responsibilities hereunder, including, but not limited to, accountants, attorneys, financial or business advisers, and forensic experts.

 

ii. Defendant shall cooperate fully with the Independent Monitor in the discharge of the Independent Monitor’s responsibilities. Among other things, Defendant shall provide all information requested by the Independent Monitor reasonably relevant to the Independent Monitor’s responsibilities. Additionally, Defendant shall promptly implement the Independent Monitor’s recommendations. Defendant or the Commission may petition the Court for resolution of any disputes concerning the Independent Monitor’s activities, authorities, determinations or responsibilities, or over Defendant implementation of the Independent Monitor’s recommendations.

 

iii. Defendant shall retain the Independent Monitor (after consulting with the Commission staff and determining that the proposed Independent Monitor is not unacceptable to the Commission staff) and execute the Independent Monitor Agreement and have the Independent Monitor in place no later than December 31, 2018, and Defendant shall provide the Commission staff a copy of the duly executed Independent Monitor Agreement within 30 days of execution of the agreement.

 

  3  

 

 

iv. The Independent Monitor shall submit: 1) an interim written status report to the Commission staff regarding the status of the Independent Monitor’s performance of its responsibilities between 120 days and no later than 180 days of the date of execution of the Independent Monitor Agreement, and then a final report at the 365 day mark but no later than December 31, 2019, to the Commission staff regarding the discharge of the Independent Monitor’s responsibilities and Defendant’s implementation of the Independent Monitor’s recommendations.

 

v. The Independent Monitor shall enter into an agreement with Defendant providing that, for the period of engagement and for a period of two years from completion of the engagement, the Independent Monitor shall not enter into any employment, consultant, attorney-client, auditing or other professional relationship with Defendant, or any of its present or former affiliates, subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees, or agents acting in their capacity as such, The agreement will also provide that the Independent Monitor will require that any firm with which it is affiliated or of which it is a member, and any person engaged to assist it in performance of its duties under this Judgment shall not, without prior written consent of the Court, enter into any employment, consultant, attorney-client, auditing or other professional relationship with Defendant, or any of its present or former affiliates, subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees, or agents acting in their capacity as such for the period of the engagement and for a period of two years after the engagement;

 

  4  

 

 

vi. Defendant shall provide reasonable compensation to the Independent Monitor relating to fees and expenses, as agreed to by the parties.

 

vii. The reports by the Independent Monitor will likely include confidential financial, proprietary, competitive business or commercial information. Public disclosure of the reports could discourage cooperation, impede pending or potential government investigations or undermine the objectives of the reporting requirement. For these reasons, among others, the reports and contents thereof are intended to remain and shall remain non-public, except (1) pursuant to a court order, (2) as agreed to by the parties in writing, (3) to the extent that the Commission determines in its sole discretion that disclosure would be in furtherance of the Commission’s discharge of its duties and responsibilities, or (4) is otherwise required by law.

 

viii. Defendant shall certify in writing, compliance with the undertaking set forth above. The certification shall identify the undertaking, provide written evidence of compliance in the form of a narrative, and be supported by exhibits sufficient to demonstrate compliance. The Commission staff may make reasonable requests for further evidence of compliance, and Defendant agrees to provide such evidence. Defendant shall submit the certification and supporting material to Jeffrey Weiss, with a copy to the Office of Chief Counsel of the Enforcement Division, no later than sixty (60) days from the date of the completion of the undertaking.

 

  5  

 

 

3.      Defendant acknowledges that the Court is not imposing a civil penalty based on Defendant’s cooperation in a Commission investigation. Defendant consents that if at any time following the entry of the Final Judgment the Commission obtains information indicating that Defendant knowingly provided materially false or misleading information or materials to the Commission or in a related proceeding, the Commission may, at its sole discretion and without prior notice to the Defendant, petition the Court for an order requiring Defendant to pay a civil penalty. In connection with the Commission’s motion for civil penalties, and at any hearing held on such a motion: (a) Defendant will be precluded from arguing that it did not violate the federal securities laws as alleged in the Complaint; (b) Defendant may not challenge the validity of the Judgment, this Consent, or any related Undertakings; (c) the allegations of the Complaint, solely for the purposes of such motion, shall be accepted as and deemed true by the Court; and (d) the Court may determine the issues raised in the motion on the basis of affidavits, declarations, excerpts of sworn deposition or investigative testimony, and documentary evidence without regard to the standards for summary judgment contained in Rule 56(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Under these circumstances, the parties may take discovery, including discovery from appropriate non-parties.

 

4.       Defendant waives the entry of findings of fact and conclusions of law pursuant to Rule 52 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

 

  6  

 

 

5.       Defendant waives the right, if any, to a jury trial and to appeal from the entry of the Final Judgment.

 

6.       Defendant enters into this Consent voluntarily and represents that no threats, offers, promises, or inducements of any kind have been made by the Commission or any member, officer, employee, agent, or representative of the Commission to induce Defendant to enter into this Consent.

 

7.       Defendant agrees that this Consent shall be incorporated into the Final Judgment with the same force and effect as if fully set forth therein.

 

8.       Defendant will not oppose the enforcement of the Final Judgment on the ground, if any exists, that it fails to comply with Rule 65(d) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and hereby waives any objection based thereon.

 

9.       Defendant waives service of the Final Judgment and agrees that entry of the Final Judgment by the Court and filing with the Clerk of the Court will constitute notice to Defendant of its terms and conditions. Defendant further agrees to provide counsel for the Commission, within thirty days after the Final Judgment is filed with the Clerk of the Court, with an affidavit or declaration stating that Defendant has received and read a copy of the Final Judgment.

 

  7  

 

 

10.     Consistent with 17 C.F.R. 202.5(f), this Consent resolves only the claims asserted against Defendant in this civil proceeding. Defendant acknowledges that no promise or representation has been made by the Commission or any member, officer, employee, agent, or representative of the Commission with regard to any criminal liability that may have arisen or may arise from the facts underlying this action or immunity from any such criminal liability. Defendant waives any claim of Double Jeopardy based upon the settlement of this proceeding, including the imposition of any remedy or civil penalty herein. Defendant further acknowledges that the Court’s entry of a permanent injunction may have collateral consequences under federal or state law and the rules and regulations of self-regulatory organizations, licensing boards, and other regulatory organizations. Such collateral consequences include, but are not limited to, a statutory disqualification with respect to membership or participation in, or association with a member of, a self-regulatory organization. This statutory disqualification has consequences that are separate from any sanction imposed in an administrative proceeding. In addition, in any disciplinary proceeding before the Commission based on the entry of the injunction in this action, Defendant understands that he shall not be permitted to contest the factual allegations of the complaint in this action.

 

  8  

 

 

11.     Defendant understands and agrees to comply with the terms of 17 C.F.R. § 202.5(e), which provides in part that it is the Commission’s policy “not to permit a defendant or respondent to consent to a judgment or order that imposes a sanction while denying the allegations in the complaint or order for proceedings.” As part of Defendant’s agreement to comply with the terms of Section 202.5(e), Defendant: (i) will not take any action or make or permit to be made any public statement denying, directly or indirectly, any allegation in the complaint or creating the impression that the complaint is without factual basis; (ii) will not make or permit to be made any public statement to the effect that Defendant does not admit the allegations of the complaint, or that this Consent contains no admission of the allegations; (in) upon the filing of this Consent, Defendant hereby withdraws any papers filed in this action to the extent that they deny any allegation in the complaint. If Defendant breaches this agreement, the Commission may petition the Court to vacate the Final Judgment and restore this action to its active docket. Nothing in this paragraph affects Defendant’s: (i) testimonial obligations; or (ii) right to take legal or factual positions in litigation or other legal proceedings in which the Commission is not a party.

 

12.     Defendant hereby waives any rights under the Equal Access to Justice Act, the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, or any other provision of law to seek from the United States, or any agency, or any official of the United States acting in his or her official capacity, directly or indirectly, reimbursement of attorney’s fees or other fees, expenses, or costs expended by Defendant to defend against this action. For these purposes, Defendant agrees that Defendant is not the prevailing party in this action since the parties have reached a good faith settlement.

 

13.     Defendant agrees that the Commission may present the Final Judgment to the Court for signature and entry without further notice.

 

  9  

 

 

14.     Defendant agrees that this Court shall retain jurisdiction over this matter for the purpose of enforcing the terms of the Final Judgment.

 

  China United Insurance Service, Inc.
   
Dated:        NOV. 29 2018   /s/ MAO YI HSIAO
  [Name of person signing for entity]
  MAO YI HSIAO

 

On NOV. 29, 2018, MAO YI - HSIAO, a person known to me, personally appeared before me and acknowledged executing the foregoing Consent with full authority to do so on behalf of China United Insurance Service, Inc. as its CEO.

 

  /s/ Chen, Yu-Lin
  Notary Public
  Commission expires: Jan 25, 2028
   
Approved as to form:
 
/s/ Caryn G. Schechtman  
Caryn G. Schechtman, Esq.
DLA Piper LLP
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10020-1104
212-335-4593

 

Attorney for Defendant China United Insurance Service, Inc

 

  10  

 

 

Exhibit 99.4

 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

     
  :  
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, :  
  :  
Plaintiff, : Civil Action No. 18:CV:12055
  :  
v. :  
  : ECF CASE
CHINA UNITED INSURANCE SERVICE, INC., :  
  :  
& :  
  :  
CHENG-HSIUNG HUANG, :  
  :  
Defendants. :  
     

 

CONSENT OF DEFENDANT CHENG-HSIUNG HUANG

 

1.           Defendant Cheng-Hsiung Huang (“Defendant”) waives service of a summons and the Complaint in this action, enters a general appearance, and admits the Court’s jurisdiction over Defendant and over the subject matter of this action.

 

2.           Without admitting or denying the allegations of the complaint (except as provided herein in paragraph 11 and except as to personal and subject matter jurisdiction, which Defendant admits), Defendant hereby consents to the entry of the final Judgment in the form attached hereto (the “Final Judgment”) and incorporated by reference herein, which, among other things:

 

(a)           permanently restrains and enjoins Defendant from violations of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) (15 U.S.C. § 78j(b)] and Rule 10b-5 thereunder [17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5] and Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”) [15 U.S.C. § 77q(a)]; and

 

  1  

 

 

(b)           orders Defendant to pay a civil penalty in the amount of $30,000 under Section 20(d) of the Securities Act (15 U.S.C. § 77t(d)] and Section 21(d)(3) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78u(d)(3)], in the manner as referenced in the Final Judgment.

 

3.           Defendant agrees that he shall not seek or accept, directly or indirectly, reimbursement or indemnification from any source, including but not limited to payment made pursuant to any insurance policy, with regard to any civil penalty amounts that Defendant pays pursuant to the Final Judgment, regardless of whether such penalty amounts or any part thereof are added to a distribution fund or otherwise used for the benefit of investors. Defendant further agrees that he shall not claim, assert, or apply for a tax deduction or tax credit with regard to any federal, state, or local tax for any penalty amounts that Defendant pays pursuant to the Final Judgment, regardless of whether such penalty amounts or any part thereof are added to a distribution fund or otherwise used for the benefit of investors.

 

4.           Defendant waives the entry of findings of fact and conclusions of law pursuant to Rule 52 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

 

5.           Defendant waives the right, if any, to a jury trial and to appeal from the entry of the Final Judgment.

 

6.           Defendant enters into this Consent voluntarily and represents that no threats, offers, promises, or inducements of any kind have been made by the Commission or any member, officer, employee, agent, or representative of the Commission to induce Defendant to enter into this Consent.

 

  2  

 

 

7.           Defendant agrees that this Consent shall be incorporated into the Final Judgment with the same force and effect as if fully set forth therein.

 

8.           Defendant will not oppose the enforcement of the Final Judgment on the ground, if any exists, that it fails to comply with Rule 65(d) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and hereby waives any objection based thereon.

 

9.           Defendant waives service of the Final Judgment and agrees that entry of the Final Judgment by the Court and filing with the Clerk of the Court will constitute notice to Defendant of its terms and conditions. Defendant further agrees to provide counsel for the Commission, within thirty days after the Final Judgment is filed with the Clerk of the Court, with an affidavit or declaration stating that Defendant has received and read a copy of the Final Judgment.

 

10.         Consistent with 17 C.F.R. § 202.5(f), this Consent resolves only the claims asserted against Defendant in this civil proceeding. Defendant acknowledges that no promise or representation has been made by the Commission or any member, officer, employee, agent, or representative of the Commission with regard to any criminal liability that may have arisen or may arise from the facts underlying this action or immunity from any such criminal liability. Defendant waives any claim of Double Jeopardy based upon the settlement of this proceeding, including the imposition of any remedy or civil penalty herein. Defendant further acknowledges that the Court’s entry of a permanent injunction may have collateral consequences under federal or state law and the rules and regulations of self-regulatory organizations, licensing boards, and other regulatory organizations. Such collateral consequences include, but are not limited to, a statutory disqualification with respect to membership or participation in, or association with a member of, a self-regulatory organization. This statutory disqualification has consequences that are separate from any sanction imposed in an administrative proceeding. In addition, in any disciplinary proceeding before the Commission based on the entry of the injunction in this action, Defendant understands that he shall not be permitted to contest the factual allegations of the complaint in this action.

 

  3  

 

 

11.         Defendant understands and agrees to comply with the terms of 17 C.F.R. § 202.5(e), which provides in part that it is the Commission’s policy “not to permit a defendant or respondent to consent to a judgment or order that imposes a sanction while denying the allegations in the complaint or order for proceedings.” As part of Defendant’s agreement to comply with the terms of Section 202.5(e), Defendant: (i) will not take any action or make or permit to be made any public statement denying, directly or indirectly, any allegation in the complaint or creating the impression that the complaint is without factual basis; (ii) will not make or permit to be made any public statement to the effect that Defendant does not admit the allegations of the complaint, or that this Consent contains no admission of the allegations; (iii) upon the filing of this Consent, Defendant hereby withdraws any papers filed in this action to the extent that they deny any allegation in the complaint; and (iv) stipulates solely for purposes of exceptions to discharge set forth in Section 523 of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. §523, that the allegations in the complaint are true, and further, that any debt for disgorgement, prejudgment interest, civil penalty or other amounts due by Defendant under the Final Judgment or any other judgment, order, consent order, decree or settlement agreement entered in connection with this proceeding, is a debt for the violation by Defendant of the federal securities laws or any regulation or order issued under such laws, as set forth in Section 523(a)(19) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. §523(a)(19). If Defendant breaches this agreement, the Commission may petition the Court to vacate the Final Judgment and restore this action to its active docket. Nothing in this paragraph affects Defendant’s: (i) testimonial obligations; or (ii) right to take legal or factual positions in litigation or other legal proceedings in which the Commission is not a party.

 

  4  

 

 

12.         Defendant hereby waives any rights under the Equal Access to Justice Act, the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, or any other provision of law to seek from the United States, or any agency, or any official of the United States acting in his or her official capacity, directly or indirectly, reimbursement of attorney’s fees or other fees, expenses, or costs expended by Defendant to defend against this action. For these purposes, Defendant agrees that Defendant is not the prevailing party in this action since the parties have reached a good faith settlement.

 

13.         Defendant agrees that the Commission may present the Final Judgment to the Court for signature and entry without further notice.

 

  5  

 

 

14.         Defendant agrees that this Court shall retain jurisdiction over this matter for the purpose of enforcing the terms of the Final Judgment.

 

Dated: DEC. 06 2018     /s/ Cheng-Hsiung Huang
        Cheng-Hsiung Huang

 

On Dec. 6, 2018, Cheng-Hsiung Huang, a person known to me, personally appeared before me and acknowledged executing the foregoing Consent.

 

    /s/ Chen, Yu-Lin
    Notary Public
    Commission expires: Jan 25, 2028
     
Approved as to form:   Z:/TOPVIN/2018/12 DEC/26 DEC/SHIFT II/TV509880 CHINA UNITED INSURANCE SERVICE - 8-K/FINAL
   
/s/ Robert D. Weber  
Robert D. Weber  
Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP  
1901 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1600  
Los Angeles, CA 90067-6017  
310-228-3746  

 

Attorneys for Defendant Cheng-Hsiung Huang

 

  6