Welcome to the State of California - Department of Corporations' website

Right Column

News Release: 2004

  • 12/28/04 — NR 04-53: California Department of Corporations Unveils Cutting Edge Technology to Streamline Customer Service [pdf]
  • 12/22/04 — NR 04-52: California Department of Corporations Halts Sales of Fraudulent Investment Contracts for the Development of Residential Real Estate - The U.S. Securities Exchange Commission Files Fraud Charges in a Related Action [pdf]
  • 12/09/04 — NR 04-51: California Department of Corporations Joins Forces with State and Federal Agencies To Demolish Fraudulent Internet Escrow Companies - New Task Force Warns Internet Users to Take Precautions During the Busy Holiday Shopping Season [pdf]
  • 12/07/04 — NR 04-50: California Department of Corporations Stops Unlicensed Rancho Cordova Companies from Offering and Selling Fraudulent Securities [pdf]
  • 12/01/04 — NR 04-49: California Department of Corporations Announces Study on Effectiveness of California Corporate Disclosure Act, Requests Public Comment [pdf]
  • 11/29/04 — NR 04-48: California Department of Corporations Revokes - Instafi.com's Finance Lenders License [pdf]
  • 11/22/04 — NR 04-47: California Department of Corporations Halts Sales of Investment In Senior Triplexes - In splashy national and state ads, Tropical Village promises 29% to 35% returns on investment [pdf]
  • 11/18/04 — NR 04-46: California Department of Corporations and Contra Costa District Attorney Defendant Sentenced to Four Years in State Prison for Securities Fraud, Forgery and Theft [pdf]
  • 11/18/04 — NR 04-45: California Department of Corporations Announces Final Distribution of Funds to Customers Harmed by The Escrow Source, Inc. [pdf]
  • 11/09/04 — NR 04-44: California Department of Corporations Announces Investors Receive Restitution in Swindle Involving Body Scans [pdf]
  • 11/05/04 — NR 04-43: California Department of Corporations Orders Mortgage Licensee to Discontinue Unsafe Lending Practices [pdf]
  • 11/01/04 — NR 04-42: California Department of Corporations Forbids Unlicensed Investment Advisor Selling Securities to Unsuspecting Investors [pdf]
  • 10/26/04 — NR 04-41: California Department of Corporations Shuts Down Worthless "Prime Bank" Scam [pdf]
  • 10/21/04 — NR 04-40: California Department of Corporations Receives Good Government Award from the International Franchise Association [pdf]
  • 09/27/04 — NR 04-39: California Department of Corporations Reminds Small Businesses that Online Filing of Securities Transaction Notices is Now Available [pdf]
  • 09/15/04 — NR 04-38: ** INVESTOR ALERT **- California Department of Corporations Cautions Investors to Be Aware of Fees Charged by Mutual Funds [pdf]
  • 09/03/04 — NR 04-37: California Department of Corporations Cuts Costs for Small Businesses and Government by Expanding Online Filing of Securities Transaction Notices [pdf]
  • 08/31/04 — NR 04-36: California Department of Corporations Completes Most Successful Franchise Renewal Period - More Than 500 Applications Approved, Including Ace Hardware, Motel 6 and Papa Murphy's Pizza [pdf]
  • 08/26/04 — NR 04-35: California Department of Corporations Reaches Settlement Agreement With Deutsche Bank and Thomas Weisel Partners, LLC - California to Receive More than $3 Million from Deutsche Bank, $521,971 from Thomas Weisel Partners [pdf]
  • 08/11/04 — NR 04-34: California Department of Corporations and Ventura County District Attorney's Office's Joint Investigation Leads to 78 Charges of Securities Fraud [pdf]
  • 08/05/04 — NR 04-33: California Department of Corporations Issues Statement in Response to Google's Disclosure to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission [pdf]
  • 07/30/04 — NR 04-32: California Department of Corporations' Investigation With Los Angeles District Attorney's Office Leads to Pair Charged With 41 Counts of Securities Violations and Grand Theft - Couple Sold Fraudulent Investments to Dozens of Southern Californians [pdf]
  • 07/29/04 — NR 04-31: California Department of Corporations Halts Fraudulent Sales of Investments Connected to Thoroughbred Racehorses - Unsuspecting San Diego Area Residents and Church Members Were Principal Targets of Unregistered Investments [pdf]
  • 07/26/04 — NR 04-30: California Department of Corporations Launches Rare, Unannounced "Sweep" of Broker/Dealer Offices to Weed Out Fraudulent Sales Tactics - Department Examiners Today Begin Sweep of Various Locations Throughout California [pdf]
  • 07/25/04 — NR 04-29: California Department of Corporations Halts Illegal Sale of Medical Spa Franchises Operating Without Onsite Physicians - Department Rejects Application for HealthWest, Inc. to offer Medspa Franchises [pdf]
  • 07/23/04 — NR 04-28: California Department of Corporations Derails "Living Trust Mill" Scam Involving Insurance Agents Acting as Investment Advisors - Insurance Agents Mislead and Illegally Push Seniors to Sell Securities and Purchase Annuities [pdf]
  • 07/21/04 — NR 04-27: Department of Corporations Wins $19 Million Verdict In San Diego Investment Fraud Trial [pdf]
  • 07/19/04 — NR 04-26: California Department of Corporations Snags Lender License from Los Angeles Man Engaged in Predatory Lending Tactics [pdf]
  • 06/30/04 — NR 04-25: Federal Court Rules in Favor of SB 1 - Departments of Corporations, Financial Institutions Given Green Light to Enforce Privacy Protection Legislation [pdf]
  • 06/25/04 — NR 04-24: California Department of Corporations Collects $800,000 as part of Settlement Agreement with Long Beach Mortgage Company - Department's Regulatory Exam Lead to Discovery of More Than 3,618 Violations of Interest Overcharges [pdf]
  • 06/23/04 — NR 04-23: Department Blocks Women's Health Club Chain from Selling Illegal Franchises; Rejects its Application due to Applicant's Hidden Criminal Record - Health Club Applicant with History of Telemarketing and Financial Fraud Convictions Tried to Push Illegal Franchise Investments for Chain of Women's Fitness Centers in California [pdf]
  • 06/18/04 — NR 04-22: California Department of Corporations Receives National Recognition for Streamlining Franchise Application Process - Coordinated Review Process Increases Efficiency for California Businesses and State Regulators [pdf]
  • 06/09/04 — NR 04-21: California Department of Corporations Approves Permits Authorizing the Issuance of Securities by PCX Holdings, Inc. and the Pacific Exchange, Inc. [pdf]
  • 05/27/04 — NR 04-20: California Department of Corporations Yanks Certificate from Investment Adviser for Defrauding Millions from Korean Citizens - Securities and Exchange Commission Files Emergency Action in Federal Court to Freeze Company's Assets - FBI Executes Search Warrant of Los Angeles-based Offices [pdf]
  • 05/24/04 — NR 04-19: Department of Corporations Announces New Location for San Francisco Office [pdf]
  • 05/05/04 — NR 04-18: California Department of Corporations, FTC Slam Door on National Consumer Council & London Financial Group for Deceptive, Unlawful Operation - Joint Effort by Department of Corporations and Federal Trade Commission Leads to Take-Over of Southern California-based National Consumer Council, Inc. and London Financial Group [pdf]
  • 04/30/04 — NR 04-17: California Department of Corporation Celebrates "Older Americans Month" - May 2004 Designated as Older Americans Month - Department's Seniors Against Investment Fraud Program - (SAIF) Is Critical Resource to Older Americans as they live Longer, More Active Lives [pdf]
  • 04/27/04 — NR 04-16: Sinister Telephone Operator Faces 13 Years in Prison for Investment Fraud Crimes After Investigation by Department of Corporations - Joint Effort by Department of Corporations and Los Angeles District Attorney Sends Strong Warning - Investment Fraud Will Not Be Tolerated in California [pdf]
  • 04/21/04 — NR 04-15: Judge Orders Defunct Moviemakers to Empty Pockets for Defrauding Hundreds in Movie Production Investment Scheme - Producers Set Up Boiler Room Operation to Make Unsolicited Cold-calls to Potential Investors Nationwide - Promised High-profile Actors and up to 400 Percent Return in Movie Making Deals [pdf]
  • 04/08/04 — NR 04-14: California Department of Corporations Issues Order to "Cash Now" Halting Sales of Illegal Franchises and Securities - Corporations Commissioner Urges Potential Investors to Check the Legitimacy of all Investment Products with the Department of Corporations Before Investing [pdf]
  • 03/26/04 — NR 04-13: California Department of Corporations Unveils new "Investor Alert" Tool for Internet-Access to Warnings Against Dangerous Investment Fraud Schemes [pdf]
  • 03/08/04 — NR 04-12: California Department of Corporations Issues Subpoenas for Information on Fraudulent Sale of "Death Benefit" Investments [pdf]
  • 02/25/04 — NR 04-11: Modesto Man Ordered to Pay $16 Million for Investment Fraud - Following Civil Action Filed by the Department of Corporations [pdf]
  • 02/25/04 — NR 04-10: Department of Corporations Releases "Top 10 List" of Ways to Help Businesses Expedite their Franchise Renewal Application Process [pdf]
  • 02/25/04 — NR 04-09: Payday Lenders Continue Operating with Regulatory Permits in California Following Governor's Approval of AB 971 - Legislation Will Provide the Department of Corporations Critical Resources Necessary to Streamline Licensing and Regulatory Enforcement Procedures [pdf]
  • 02/19/04 — NR 04-08: California Department of Corporations Joins Nationwide Program to Help Streamline Franchise Review and Registration Process - Coordinated Approval Process Will Increase Efficiency for California Businesses and State Regulators [pdf]
  • 02/13/04 — NR 04-07: Department of Corporations Promotes Efficient Compliance for Business - Amendments Remove Potential Fiscal Burden to California Small Businesses [pdf]
  • 02/02/04 — NR 04-06: Department of Corporations Issues Desist and Refrain Order Against Unlicensed Credit Counselors [pdf]
  • 01/27/04 — NR 04-05: **INVESTOR ALERT** - Department of Corporations Warns Californians to Beware of Ponzi Schemes and Affinity Fraud [pdf]
  • 01/27/04 — NR 04-04: Department of Corporations Identifies Top 10 California Investment Schemes and Scandals for 2004 [pdf]
  • 01/21/04 — NR 04-03: ** INVESTOR ALERT ** - Department of Corporations Takes Securities Enforcement Action Against Self-Improvement Instructor Selling Stock in Phantom Company [pdf]
  • 01/15/04 — NR 04-02: Department of Corporations Begins Fund Distribution to Customers of The Escrow Source, Inc. [pdf]
  • 01/06/04 — NR 04-01: Department of Corporations Takes Enforcement Action Against Suspected Ponzi Scheme Operator - James P. Lewis, Financial Advisory Consultants Ordered to Stop Selling [pdf]