Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Release No. 50316 / September 3, 2004

Admin. Proc. File No. 3-11632

IN THE MATTER OF DAVID ABISH, CHRISTOPHER BETTS, MARK CHARVAT, JAMES CORCORAN, PAUL FEENY, ROBERT PRATT, MARIO RODRIGUEZ, SCOTT SIEGEL, ANDREW TURSI AND DAVID WEEKS

The Securities and Exchange Commission today issued an Order Instituting Administrative Proceedings and Notice of Hearing Pursuant to Section 15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Order") against David Abish, Christopher Betts, Mark Charvat, James Corcoran, Paul Feeny, Robert Pratt, Mario Rodriguez, Scott Siegel, Andrew Tursi, and David Weeks (collectively, the "Respondents"), all of whom are former registered representatives of Sterling Foster & Company, Inc. ("Sterling Foster").

During February and March 2000, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York charged each of the Respondents with defrauding investors through the use of fraudulent sales practices while at Sterling Foster. The Division of Enforcement alleges that between June 2000 and May 2002, each of the Respondents was either found guilty or entered guilty pleas in those criminal matters.

A hearing before an administrative law judge will be scheduled to determine whether the allegations in the order are true, to provide the Respondents an opportunity to dispute these allegations, and to determine what remedial action, if any, is appropriate in the public interest.

The Order directed the Administrative Law Judge to issue an initial decision within 210 days from the date of service of the Order.

See also the Order in this matter