Exec Settles Charges He Traded Stock On Inside Merger News Obtained From Wife

M. Jason Hanold, formerly managing director at a Chicago executive search firm, settled charges Oct. 11 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois that he used information misappropriated from his wife to trade stock in a merger target, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced that day (SEC v. Hanold).

In a release, the SEC said Hanold—whose wife worked at the bidder entity—agreed without admitting or denying wrongdoing to be barred from future violations. He also consented to pay $20,766 in disgorgement, prejudgment interest, and civil penalties.

Confidential Information.

According to the charges, Hanold’s wife ...