U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Litigation Release No. 22048 / July 19, 2011
SEC v. Howard B. Wildstein, United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Civil Action No. 11-01297 (JDB)
SEC Charges Former Corporate Executive Howard B. Wildstein With Insider Trading
The Securities and Exchange Commission filed a civil injunctive action today in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia charging Howard B. Wildstein, a former Pitney Bowes, Inc. executive, with insider trading in the stock of MapInfo Corporation in advance of the March 15, 2007 public announcement that Pitney Bowes had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire MapInfo.
According to the SEC's complaint, Wildstein acquired material nonpublic information concerning the acquisition through his employment at Pitney Bowes. In particular, as alleged in the complaint, in late February 2007, Wildstein learned that MapInfo was a potential target of Pitney Bowes and that executives of Pitney Bowes who were responsible for mergers and acquisitions had recently visited MapInfo. On March 1 and March 2, 2007, based on this material nonpublic information, Wildstein purchased 8,000 shares of MapInfo common stock. After the acquisition was publicly announced, Wildstein sold all 8,000 shares, realizing an unlawful profit of $51,177.
Without admitting or denying the allegations in the complaint, Wildstein has consented to the entry of a final judgment that permanently enjoins him from violating Sections 10(b) and 14(e) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, and Rules 10b-5 and 14e-3 thereunder, and requires him to pay a total of $114,848 in disgorgement, prejudgment interest, and civil penalties. The settlement is subject to approval by the court.
The Commission acknowledges the assistance of FINRA in this matter.