U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Litigation Release No. 20854 / January 15, 2009
Securities and Exchange Commission v. BarrierMed, Inc., BarrierMed Glove Co. and Victor J. Ragucci, Case No. 6:09-CV-102-ORL-28KRS (M.D. Fla.) (January 15, 2009)
The Securities and Exchange Commission filed a Complaint For Injunctive Relief today in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida against BarrierMed, Inc. (BarrierMed) and BarrierMed Glove Co. (BarrierMed Glove) (collectively, the Companies) and their founder and former chief executive officer and president Victor J. Ragucci. BarrierMed and BarrierMed Glove purported to develop and sell latex-free gloves for use in the medical industry.
The Commission's complaint alleges that Ragucci and the Companies fraudulently raised over $11 million from hundreds of investors nationwide by offering and selling unregistered securities through a series of private offerings from at least 2003 through approximately February 2007. According to the complaint, Ragucci made materially false and misleading statements to investors concerning the Companies' operating results, revenues, future profits and the nature and impact of certain contracts. The Complaint also alleges that Ragucci misled investors regarding the Companies' production capabilities and announced product launches despite failing to obtain requisite United States Food and Drug Administration approvals to sell the gloves. The complaint further alleges that the defendants repeatedly misrepresented that the Companies were preparing to conduct an initial public offering, fabricated Ragucci's credentials, and misrepresented Ragucci's salary.
The complaint alleges that the defendants violated Sections 5(a), 5(c), and 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. The Commission seeks permanent injunctions and disgorgement of ill-gotten gains with prejudgment interest against the defendants. The Commission also seeks the imposition of a civil money penalty and an officer and director bar against Ragucci.
