CPA TO PAY $400,000 TO GOVERNMENT FOR WORK DONE WHILE SUSPENDED

FROM:  U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
SEC Awarded $400,000 in Disgorgement from Certified Public Accountant for His Violations of Commission Suspension Order

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced a court ruling that requires certified public accountant Michael H. Taber to pay the government $400,000 in compensation he received while suspended from appearing or practicing before the Commission as an accountant.

According to the SEC's application filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Taber violated a 2004 Commission Order suspending him. The 2004 Order was based on a fraud injunction obtained against Taber, in SEC v. Del Global Techs. Corp., 04 CV 4092 (S.D.N.Y. filed June 1, 2004), for his participation in a fraudulent scheme as the chief financial officer of a New York-based company. While suspended, Taber repeatedly drafted, compiled, and edited information and data that was incorporated into requisite periodic reports that public companies filed with the SEC.

On October 3, 2013, the district court entered an order enforcing compliance by Taber with the 2004 Commission Order and directing the parties to submit their positions regarding disgorgement. On December 5, 2013, U.S. District Judge Katherine B. Forrest entered an order awarding the Commission $400,000 in disgorgement from Taber, who is licensed as a certified public accountant in New York and is currently a Florida resident.