MFS Expected to Settle for $350 Million in Securities Fraud Charges Today

MFS Investment Management is likely to settle securities fraud charges today, Reuters reports. Lower fees and fines totaling $350 million, plus the suspension of two top executives, including CEO John Ballen, are part of the deal, according to the report.

The settlement includes $175 million in retribution to investors for their losses, $50 million in fines and $125 million in reduced fees over the next five years, sources told Reuters.

The SEC is also expected to suspend Chief Executive Officer Ballen and Chief Investment Officer Kevin Parke nine months and six months, respectively, for failing to rectify improper trading.

Massachusetts and New York regulators will also join the SEC in the settlement, according to the report. Last week, it was confirmed that Ballen had hired a leading securities fraud lawyer, John Falvey, a partner at Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault. A former assistant U.S. attorney, Falvey has handled a number of white-collar cases.

MFS spokesman John Reilly declined to comment on the pending settlement for Reuters Thursday.

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The staff of Money Management Executive ("MME") has prepared these capsule summaries based on reports published by the news sources to which they are attributed. Those news sources are not associated with MME, and have not prepared, sponsored, endorsed, or approved these summaries.

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