The U.S. Supreme Court held yesterday in Lorenzo v.
SEC, No. 17-1077 (2019), that dissemination of false or
misleading statements with an intent to defraud can fall within the
scope of Rules 10b-5(a) and (c) of the Securities Exchange Act, as
well as the relevant statutory provisions, even if the disseminator
did not "make" the statements and consequently falls
outside Rule 10b-5(b).
As the director of investment banking in a brokerage firm,
petitioner Francis Lorenzo sent two emails about an investment to
prospective investors, misrepresenting the value and financial
condition of the company. The content of the emails was supplied by
the CEO, and the emails were sent "on behalf of" the CEO
of the brokerage firm, but they were signed by Lorenzo and
encouraged investors to contact him with any questions.